Take your baby to work

Simple Living

2012-01-27T16:12:00.000-08:00

I kept running into this theme, so I thought I'd make a commitment somewhere out there to simplify things...

Over at the blog http://blog.kanelstrand.com/, they are starting a Simple Living Pledge on Feb 1st. I signed up.

My laptop sits on a desk that is covered in at least 20 post-its, beside me is a pile of papers that needs to be filed, photos and my office lease..., my bulletin board has things pre-2007, pretty Christmas cards and a CARS toy. And that's just the surface of what I can see. Do you think I need to simplify? It would help my peace of mind for sure!

Straight from her site: What is Simple Living?

Identifying what is most important for you and eliminating everything else.

Freeing up time for doing what inspires you and being with the people you love.

De cluttering your mind, your everyday life and your virtual life.

Single-tasking and learning to diminish stress.

Striving to live frugally by wanting less and buying only what is necessary.

Slowing down and being actively present in the moment.

Living a healthy life, including cleaning your home and your body, eating, exercising and thinking.

Striving to be green and sustainable as much as your surroundings allow.

Enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

Simplifying your goals, tasks and expectations.

Wish me luck! I'm not counting this as a New Years Resolution by the way.

Sautéed Squash and Feta Cheese

2012-01-08T18:26:00.001-08:00

I was feeling domestic this afternoon. We finally chopped up our back-up Halloween pumpkin and found ourselves with about 12 cups of pumpkin pieces. We tried out a new recipe from the current Pathways to Family Wellness magazine and it was yummy!

To make this meal or side dish, here's the ingredients:

1 pumpkin or butternut squash (or amount you think you want to prepare)

1 head of garlic, peeled and squashed

Onion (or 8-10 shallots)

2-3 bay leaves2 chilis (we skipped this)

12 oz feta cheese

1/2 cups nuts/seeds, toasted

Olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 355 degrees F

2. Sautée 1tbs olive oil with squash-brown but don't worry about cooking it fully

3. Add garlic, onions, oil, salt and pepper & mix

4. Bake with bay leaves for 30-40 minutes.

5. Soak chili peppers (de-seeded and diced) with oil

6. Add feta, nuts or seeds, chili oil over squash. (add when cooled if serving as a salad)

Serve either warm or cool. Enjoy!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What I've Learned So Far

2012-01-07T16:29:00.000-08:00

About taking your baby/ little girl/ princess to work, that is...

A three-year-old in the office will make it feel like a tornado has hit.

You will feel 10x more exhausted than any other regular work day.

There's a lot of cleaning involved.

The best laid plans of day home/babysitter/etc. may end up meaning nothing if someone wants to "fight you" and fling herself into snow banks and run away instead of leaving you.

Best to be flexible.

Ponies and dolls and lots of snacks are necessary.

iPad backup is still a must for that last crucial 1/2 hour.

Or, with no toys, she will be more creative.

People will LOVE your child at the office, "I just love it when she's here!"

Or think you're really odd that your child is at the office, especially if they are new to the office.

You will cringe when she attaches to your leg when you are 15 minutes late, or asks to go potty in a room full of waiting practice members.

She will make everyone happier, sillier, and more full of smiles than you have ever seen.

A big kids play area or rest area and full time babysitter/Nanny would be lovely, but not happening at the moment.

And I think some days, they just need to be with us, still!

Of course, we have made alternate plans by this stage of the game. Scarlett goes to a day home 2 afternoons a week, and other wise, she is still with one of us. Thanks to some creative scheduling on our parts. But the best laid plans still fall through and over December and the holidays she was at Elan more than expected. Considering that our office is up there with "playground" "park" or "bookstore" for places she likes to spend time, I think we're doing just fine.

Elephant Birthday Party

2011-11-13T14:47:00.000-08:00

Scarlett has turned 3! Or, as she's still saying, I'm NOT 3, I'm still a little girl!
We had asked our little girl what she wanted for her birthday, and she said a PURPLE ELEPHANT PARTY! So here it is:

We decorated with a paper flag banner, origami stars, balloons and ribbons. All pink and purple of course.
One of the activities for the girls was to decorate a photo frame. Here's Scarlett's.

Pin the tail on the elephant.
Which was fun, but the favorite game appeared to be the peanut game which started out as throwing peanuts into the elephant's basket, but evolved into bouncing like a bunny as you moved one peanut from the bowl to the basket. And repeat.

Elephant sugar cookies. Which we decorated with icing and sprinkles.

Elephant decorations.

And, there was a purple elephant birthday cake, photos to come!

Staying A Little Girl

2011-10-21T15:13:00.001-07:00

Our Little Girl is opposed to becoming a Big Girl.

The usual comment to "You're such a big girl now" after seeing how tall she is, how much she weighs, her new skills, politeness, etc, is "NO. I'm NOT a BIG GIRL. I'm a little girl."

It's most apparent in her clothes, as I've been trying to move out of season, and too-small-to-fit clothes into the basement. The trip to the basement lasts all of about 5 minutes.

She has winter boots that are 2 sizes too small that she insists on wearing. But won't put on the beautiful ones that do fit, that she even picked out herself.

She has an old striped sweater that comes halfway up her forearms, that she wears everyday. And about 4 sweaters in the right size, that she has yet to try on.

She has slippers that she has searched the house for in repeated 1/2 hour increments (I think they are buried too deep in the basement) that never fit, but now she wants, when she has a perfectly cute and in the right size bunny slippers that she used to like.

Socks-This morning we had a tantrum because I wouldn't let her wear a pair for the third day in a row. We do have socks in her size, and we have packed the latest "baby pairs" away, but they need to be in the closest where she can see them, and has requested a few specific pairs.

Yes, we wear many clothes over and over again. And yes, it is literally freezing outside and Scarlett is still wearing her favorite sundress. Over and over again. Please don't think she doesn't have a closet full of clothes. I do feed her too.

Her baby spoons are suddenly upstairs and are her favorite toy.

Books-I've tried to put some younger aged books away-and not her favorites but ones she never liked-but suddenly we have to read them to her everyday, over and over again.

Toys are the same. Anything I try to put away becomes her instant favorite.

Panties-she's practically toilet trained but clings to her pull-ups. This from the little girl who used to refuse a diaper and wanted panties.

It is a daily struggle at the moment and I do realize that I should relish her being a little girl for as long as we can, because it will be gone in an instant. But can someone cover her belly when she's playing outside and her clothes don't cover her?

So many decisions-do I change my language with her? give her the responsibility to put things away and make it really exciting to do so? limit her choices? change the definition of being a big girl? bring the "little-girl-clothes-fairy" to visit? keep talking about growing up? cut the praise?

Any more advice?

Of course, she is a wonderful, funny, charming, beautiful, almost 3 year old, LITTLE GIRL, but I have to laugh at how funny she looks when she comes out in PJ's that barely button up, reach her knees, and she's pulling them down every 30 seconds. Our poor little girl.

I Chickened Out!

2011-08-17T13:48:00.000-07:00

I had a chance last week to challenge myself in combining parenting with work. A play group for kids combined with a presentation for the moms.

I did a practice run on Tuesday. Scarlett came to the playgroup and had a blast. She played in a bouncy castle, with balls, and blocks, and other kids, and fell in love with a "fishy train" (Ride on train in a Finding Nemo style). She loved the train too much, and we ended the play group by dragging her out shoe-less and crying for the fishy train. And then I heard about the fishy train for the next couple of days, and she dragged her own train to the office, onto the couch, anywhere we would let her.

What did I do while she was playing? I tried to listen to that day's presenter, Lisa Kathleen of Full Circle Parenting. (Wonderful advice! and did I get to hear barely any of it?).

Thursday came and I was scheduled to speak on Chiropractic for Pregnant Moms and Babies. While the kids play group was on. That's when I chickened out and sent Scarlett to work with her dad so I could think at the same time that I was speaking.

I would have loved to have seen if I could have juggled it, but I probably guessed right, that it was a little out of my league.

If you'd like to check out the playgroups and see who is speaking, just ask at Leela Eco Spa and Studio & Enjoy!

Take Your Baby to Yoga Class

2011-08-13T15:01:00.001-07:00

Yoga in Bowness (www.yogainbowness.com) is currently offering yoga in the park. I finally made it to my first class this week, with Scarlett, of course.

It may not have been my most zen class, but I still had a good workout for the 3/4 of class that I completed.
Plus there was a little bit of "animal" yoga, ring around the rosy, fighting for my mat, dis-assembling of my wallet, games on the iPhone, and a 2 year old on my back when I was in plank position. Snacks and water.
I had asked prior if it was ok if she came, and I think the other yogis were very tolerant. Doesn't it up the level of concentration by having more distractions?
I will be back to class, with or without Scarlett, I haven't decided. I like her being outside and exposed to the practice, but her patience is that of a 2 year old (or 2 and 3/4 year old).
Maybe we should all practice yoga like a 2 year old-Scarlett had the most fun and the most smiles out of everyone there.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Morning Routine

2011-08-08T13:54:00.000-07:00

I'm creating this post for the sole purpose of finding this Waldorf post again (as bookmarks and I lose each other).

Plus it would be a dream of mine to have such a peaceful morning.

http://themagiconions.blogspot.com/2011/08/discovering-waldorf-morning-rhythm.html

My morning today...

Scarlett clinging to me as I got out of bed (yes, she's taken to crawling in with us in the middle of the night). In fact, only letting me get out of my bed with her attached to me.

Showering with Scarlett poking at me through the shower curtain. Not too sure why. She usually doesn't need to be in the room with me.

Scarlett and Scott on the couch watching cartoons and playing with the iPad.

Breakfast? I think she drank some smoothie before I left the house.

Clothes? Still in yesterday's ice cream dress, which was also covered with raspberries. We're going through some opposition to pajamas and some opposition in general. "Not today" is her newest phrase for when she doesn't want to do something.

That's all-I went to work. When I saw her again she was sweetly dressed in a clean purple dress and looked scrubbed and brushed, and was fed. What more could I want?

July in Pictures

2011-07-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

I affectionately think of this post as, "A repost of my Facebook photos." But it sums up what we've been up to this month-Canada Day celebrations in Salmon Arm, Stampede Breakfasts complete with face painting, plays in the backyard and at the parks. I needed to play with my phone and the camera settings anyways.

Introvert Meets Strangers

2011-07-04T08:42:00.001-07:00

Scott and I were talking about this today. I am a true introvert- on personality testing and just day to day observance. I like my own space, recharge at home, have a lot of internal dialogue, ask questions to keep the focus off of me, you get the idea.

I also randomly talk to strangers. I'm not sure when it started, or why, but I do. I'm also not sure of proper etiquette when I do so.

Is it best to introduce myself first or just start talking?

I tend to just ask questions or make comments, but Scott thinks I should introduce myself first.

Is it better to say, "Hi, I'm Josephene, where did you get that beautiful princess dress for your daughter?"

Or... (after my daughter has been playing with another little girl for half an hour at the beach). "The girls are having fun, but what's your daughter's name?-she doesn't want to tell me".

Sometimes it's just all around awkward, but people are usually friendly when I do this. I have even made a couple of friends, as bizarre as it may seem.

I'm trying to figure out why I talk to strangers, but maybe it is from watching my dad do the same for years. And everyone talks to him in every and all situations. For now, I'll just baffle my introverted self with this habit.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone on the highway from Salmon Arm to Calgary

Spending Fast

2011-06-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

We had a very exciting Father's Day. Ate lots, called the Grandpa's, and....cleaned the basement. What every Dad wants to do on Father's Day.

What happened in the basement? We dredged up a million memories and a million items of clutter. We both seem to be hobby people, and collectors of things.

I have my cases of scrapbook supplies, and miscellaneous crafting items-for making jewellery, supplies to make stuffed animals, quilting items, meters and meters of material for sewing clothes and quilts (I used to sew a lot of clothes), boxes of photographs, a mannequin form for sewing, boxes of candles, ink and stamps, and I'm not sure what else. And a saxophone and all of the "usual" storage-off-season clothes, etc. And books.

Scarlett's is saving everything she's ever worn or played with or slept or ridden in a car in, for if she ever gets a little brother or little sister. It could be the best dressed-in-pink little boy ever!

Scott's gathering his own things-such as his CD collection that we haven't listened to since we moved into this house over 6 years ago. And PEZ dispensers, broken cameras and a box of coats.
Probably nothing of large monetary value, but it all adds up.

Cleaning our the basement essentially meant moving things from one end of the basement to the other, and getting rid of a box or two. (Really, I'm not ruthless). And I did get upset by the amount of money I have spent on things that I have never used. Not to mention the amount of energy and time is sucks up. It's one thing to buy an item and use it and love it, but such a different story when I stick it on a shelf to come back to later. (or move it from one shelf to another)

And then what did I chance upon today?!?! This lovely blog about a woman who has challenged herself to a "Spending Fast." I love it!

http://www.andthenshesaved.com/spendingfastguidelines/

I'm going to keep her in mind and follow her blog for a little while. And think a bit about how I spend my money, and how I can start to REUSE all of that stuff in the basement. That may mean I might have to sew Scarlett some clothes in some pretty pastel pink with blue flowers before I buy her something new! Now, I just need to carve out some time for that.

The blog is a great refresher at looking how we spend our money on things we WANT versus things we NEED. I am all for reducing our things to a minimum so that we can keep living in our (less than) 1000 sf bungalow-well, 1000 sf per floor. Plus I think it will be a great way to help Scarlett to value money and our accumulations.

I haven't committed to the Spending Fast yet, but it may be coming.

Triad of Change

2011-06-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

An excerpt from our most recent newsletter (and a photo of our June garden by Scott-Stickoutyourfacephotography):

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=7d3ccafbfb3d8fda5e6872dd8&id=38a4943602

Have you heard of The Triad of Change?

I've been talking about this in the office a lot as it really changed my view on how to make CHANGES in our life. Dr. Donald Epstein discovered that there is a TRIAD to how we make changes in ourselves, and the three sides of the triangle consist of STRUCTURE, PERCEPTION, and BEHAVIOUR. Knowing that this is a time of the year when we seem to start new activities or projects, it can help to look at ourselves from this perspective. Dr. Epstein found that our success comes from focussing on our 2 stronger sides of the triangle, with our third (not so strong) following or entraining to the other two.

For instance, if I were to start a new activity such as learning to run, there are different ways to approach it. I could sign up for classes, schedule a time to run, book myself with a running buddy, learn how to eat maximally (all structure based) OR I could focus on my motivation to run, why I want to be healthy, what positive benefits it will bring to my family or myself, use positive affirmations (all perception based) OR I could just literally go running and do it and act like I am a runner and an athlete (behavior based). We will all have one side of the triad that is natural to us, and one that is a source of energy for us. But the third, if we try make changes leading with that, will probably lead to failure. If you are taking up a new hobby or activity this summer, try considering the Triad of Change to approach things in a new way.

Good Luck!

Essential Skills

2011-06-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

I thought I would need to help Scarlett learn essential skills such as how to fall asleep, how to use the potty, or how to put on her clothes. However, she's skipped learning these silly 2 year old skills, and has gone right to the heart of the matter. She's training for my job, and I didn't even know it.

Last night at 10:30 pm as we gave up on getting her to sleep (no, we don't have that skill down), Scarlett was playing in our bed. She had Scott and I lined up JUST SO-with many specific corrections to our head position, lying on our backs, and just sculpting us into position.

Then she started to massage our bellies, arms, legs, ... And said "I massage".

Then she held her hands on my chest and kept saying something very emphatically, which I couldn't decipher right away. When I figured out what it was, I burst out laughing. She's saying, over and over again, "Deep Breath". And what do I say all day, every day, over and over again to the practice members on my table? You got it-Deep Breath Here.

She made some little contacts on us which was probably comparable to me contacting gateways. (I assume?)

Then she stuck Scott's hand up in the air, and started pushing on it. First we were confused, then I started to laugh so hard that I started crying. She was muscle testing Scott. And what does he do all day? Muscle test people for the allergy elimination treatments.

Scott asked her, "Are you going to be a Massage Therapist or a Chiropractor?"

Her answer, "I'm a DOCTOR!".

That was our evening. She did eventually fall asleep, but apparently she's picking up much more than I am aware of.

Advice from a 2 Year Old

2011-06-06T16:42:00.000-07:00

Have I already said that I think my daughter is intuitive?

Really, I think ALL kids are intuitive. If you spend time at our office, you'd be surprised by how many kids that don't come to see us as practice members, come running into our office. Repeatedly. Followed by a parent saying, "I don't know why she keeps heading for your office...". We know why, and your kid knows why.

But, I'm convinced that Scarlett has a sixth sense. Possibly because I'm also pretty convinced that she has seen ghosts or spirits. Possibly because sometimes she looks very wise before she does answer a question.

We are trying to use her intuition-in a harmless manner. Soon we'll buy lottery tickets and tell her to point at the winning ticket.

So far, her intuition has helped her to give me feedback on a person's character that I wasn't sure of. (Read, I don't trust my intuition as much as I trust hers).

She has swayed a few business decisions.

Her behaviour has influenced where I shop. And occasionally, what I buy.

If I was house hunting I would use her, because I have seen her act differently in an space that I know is a "good" space compared to a questionable one.

When our dog went missing for a few days, we did ask her a few times if she could tell where Raven was. Her answer, "Someone's back yard" with such certainty that I kept saying, "Point if you think we're near Raven." And then when we found Raven and met the person who found her, it turned into "Steve's backyard" with as much conviction.

She has sometimes provided answers to questions that we had not yet asked.

Needless to say, I take advice from my 2 year old. Not advice like, M&M's or cherries? But advice to questions where there are multiple good answers, just to see where her opinion may lead us. I would love to have such a strong sense of intuition and I believe mine will grow over time. For now, we sometimes receive clear information from our 2 year old who is also just starting to form sentences and her sense of self. The trick will be to help her keep this gift.

Hippie Mom

2011-05-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

I had to steal the photo but here's where it is from: http://networkedblogs.com/hBJqH. I hope that's appropriate & please read her post because it too is great. Are you a hippie mom? Or do you look down on those (us?) hippie/ crunchy/granola moms? Or should the parenting debates be thrown out the window?
To start, I recently had to ask someone what crunchy meant, but I get it now. I also won't try to categorize myself. But I certainly don't look like a hippie. I dress professionally, or at least casual-professional. I do my hair, makeup, drive a Honda-and yes, once owned a VW Van with my ex-husband and even remember pushing it down the street to jump start it. I own a house and a stable business. Which all add up to not hippie, as I understand the term.

But as her post points out, there's a lot of things that I do that put me in the other category. Which I think I've posted about enough times, but my quick list: Home Birth, Breast fed my baby past 2 1/2 (that means she still nurses), No vaccines, Co-slept, baby wearing, partial cloth diapering, grow my own veggies, season permitting, and try to eat healthy. And virtually no drugs to date for Scarlett except for one dose of gravol to knock Scarlett out during our travels to Italy. (Which was fun to watch her dancing in the airport prior to boarding and avoided the hysterics of the previous unmedicated flights). And there are more supplements, homeopathics and herbals in our house than any form of medication.

I also have a couple of patients that refer to myself and Scott as "hippie dippy granola types from BC". Yes, something about the province defines us. Also probably something to do with the type of work that we are in.

And yes, I also eat granola almost everyday. But I do recall one game of "What If" that I thought if I was most like a breakfast food I would be like granola, but everyone else choose me to be most like coffee and a croissant. Which I found flattering. But in my head, coffee and croissant parenting comes with a posh stroller, hands off parenting, and every modern baby occupying device known to families. Look how biased I am!

When did we start all of these parenting and lifestyle categories? I like the choices that I have made that fit a natural lifestyle, am guilt ridden about how I could do better and know that I can't claim any model. Maybe if I could drive a beautiful VW van like the one above, I wouldn't worry about all these little things!

Happy parenting and mothering!

Adult Life

2011-05-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

What is this adult life people talk about?

I think it might have something to do with furniture that matches, that you actually bought, a dining room table and a house that holds one (our house does not), getting up in the morning with the sun-or earlier? or at least before your kid? Possibly moving into a bigger house that holds all of your stuff. It probably includes some form of RV, or as all of our peers are doing right now-tent trailers! A vacation property? Cabin?

I'm trying to understand what adult life means, except for all of the things that it comes with.

I am 36 years old, and Scott and I refer to other people and say they lead "adult lives". So, I wonder what ours is.

Yes, we have 2 vehicles, a mortgage on a house I like (yes, I'm attached to our little place), the only furniture we've bought together comes from IKEA, and we have oodles of hand-me-downs from friends and our past, still! Most surfaces of the house are covered with toys, and the out-of reach areas are just, not toys. The basement is full of stuff, some we use, some we don't And yes, I have an office with a lot more furniture and stuff, and patients and responsibility.

This is my adult life. I'm waiting for the day that I want to go out and buy new furniture. Or possibly renovate something in our house (it could ALL be renovated!) I keep thinking I will one day have a defining moment that I will now LOOK as though I'm an adult. What would it look like? Will that be my mid-life crisis?

And yes, I'm very responsible in all areas of my life-work and home and family. We look after our daughter well and feed and clothe and love her. I thought having a daughter would be a defining moment into adult life, which it was!, but I am finding that each stage melds into the next, which melds into the next. Perhaps it was the eternal phase of my schooling, where student and adult life were one, or the long time I spent in my career before I became a mom. (and I'm loving these debates of "old" mom versus "young" mom-I may have to engage soon!)

My adult life feels like it may want to purge the clutter and things that we have in our life, simplify our life, and not amass more things. I probably will not end up being the mom who has the matchy living room set and dining room set (and what did I grow up with?) and I'm finding that my adult life may mean lunch at 2 pm and despite what I would like, kids bedtime at midnight. No sunrise for me.

Welcome to my adult life, however it may look! Suggestions for my adult life are much appreciated.

The Best Thing About Today

2011-04-30T15:37:00.000-07:00

Summer Dresses!

(Scarlett in her sundress with her head-less mom. She just woke up and this was as close to posing as she'd do).

Only in Calgary will you appreciate this. It's April 30th, and we're still in winter clothes. The puffy winter coat was also worn this week, and winter boots, during the freak snowstorm. It is still cold, although it is is trying so hard to be spring.

I finally unpacked Scarlett's summer clothes and it made me instantly happier. She won't be able to wear them without extra layers, but they are so pretty and dressy and colorful, that they make me smile. She likes them better too, as she tore off her long sleeved t-shirt (in black) to put on a green and yellow sundress. Which she is now sleeping in. The plan was to wash them up and hang them in the closet but I think we'll be seeing them everyday from now on.

I'm not sure where my restraint was when I was shopping for Scarlett, but we have enough clothes for 2 little girls. I suppose my dirt loving girl will need all of those extra outfits.

What could be better? Running on the lawn in barefeet perhaps? We'll wait a little bit longer for that one.

Network Care for Kids

2011-04-18T16:37:00.000-07:00

I chanced upon this video about Kids and Network Care. This is the technique that we use in the office for everyone under care, and I love that it is so effective for kids. Watch it! http://www.youtube.com/user/smorra2010#p/a/u/2/MoGghgPkae0

Better Than Toys

2011-04-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

We were "Networking" last week. Elan Family Wellness Centre set up a table with the Goddess Mommies Group, in celebration of their 3 1/3 anniversary. We were all at Stir Crazy Fun Centre, so the kiddies got to run around in their huge facility. It was fun all around, and lots of new faces to meet. Then we came home and Scarlett took a liking to the goodie bags with all of the brochures, business cards, give-aways, etc. She unpacked the bag, packed it, carried it around, just like a toy. I have now corrupted her-instead of toys, my daughter plays with business cards. Instead of playing dress up, she comes to the office and plays at "adjusting". I'm waiting to see what's next!

Life Online

2011-03-23T14:55:00.000-07:00

Do you ever google yourself? Or your business?

It's something we do often and it always surprises me what I find. There is an article from 2000 in the Kelowna daily paper that announced my start in business. I can never get over that one & that the column was even archived online. Of course, I can always find my current website, old locations where I practiced, Profile photos, facebook, blog, linked in...

My office has a life of it's own. Some days it is attached to the physical location where it exists, some days it is randomly located elsewhere in Calgary. Some days the phone number belongs to us, some days not. Today I saw that my office even has it's own blog, but not one that I started or plan to participate in. Some days I see positive reviews that I didn't even know were posted about me, which is very nice.

We try to keep all of the content current and correct, but I'm starting to think it is an impossible feat.

Some days I think about the overwhelming amount of information that is out there. How do we sift through it all? How do we know what is correct and true? What reminders will we be getting in the future of our past self? Especially now with an on-line blog- this information really is out there forever. I do still stand by what I say, or at least for the information that I put out there (but how do you know if it's mine or someone else's?)

Maybe don't try to call our office today based on google maps advice. It may send you to a place where I have never been. Hopefully one day in the not too distant future, we may be better able to manage our on-line lives.

Pregnancy Puzzle

2011-03-20T15:31:00.000-07:00

Happy First Day of Spring!

We missed the super full moon last night, but did have a fleeting moment of spring today as we burned off some clippings from last year in our fire pit. Scott said the snow was a good way to extinguish the fire. I have a feeling that some spring cleaning may be coming soon, but I know one toy that won't be going any where.

I found this crazy pregnancy puzzle that Scarlett loves. It was on clearance at Chapters, and so far has held her attention much longer than any other puzzle. I think it may have something to do with the naked-ness of it. In honor of spring, the theme of re-birth, and for babies everywhere who love other babies, here it is:

It is a fun little puzzle to show how babies grow. Truthfully I was shocked that she is shown so naked, but I'm all for that being in our house. I may have to go and buy some dolls sans clothes next.

Ghost Sighting

2011-03-01T13:19:00.001-08:00

I'm a little excited because I think my daughter saw a ghost. In my house!

I had always heard that kids can still "see" and sense things that us adults ignore, so this has me intrigued.

On Sunday she got upset about 3 times in a row at the same place in the house-right where our hallway enters either the kitchen or the living room. I went through all the usual culprits-"Does something hurt? Did you bump your toe? Fall? Did Raven scratch you?... " No obvious reason for the upset.

When it happened again in the late morning, I went through my questions again, and then finally asked, "Was it a ghost?"... "Yes!"

We've never talked about ghosts before, but this was suddenly the answer. It was a male ghost and she wanted him to leave, so we asked him to leave, opened the door for him, and said good-bye.

Until later in the evening it happened again, so then Scott lit a candle and brought out an angel to put in the spot where she kept getting freaked out. So far so good.

It was an interesting experience. I'm not convinced it was a bad spirited ghost, but if it is who I think it is, yes he would look scary. A couple of days before, I had a dream of my grandfather who had passed away years ago. He was tall and skinny, big beard, and was a trapper and a bit of a hermit. We were always a bit scared of him growing up, but if it was him, Hi Grandpa-it looks like Scarlett has met you!

It's all Work

2011-02-18T15:53:00.000-08:00

I didn't realize how much I was liking the blogging thing, until I seem to have stopped for a bit. Lately, it's been all work-new email system, new newsletters, meeting and interviewing new contractors, and one really exciting "new"event-Elan's Natural Birth and Pregnancy Info Night! Really, it's not a new idea, as I did have these prior to Scarlett's arrival, but where did the 2+ years go?

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=168012793246556

So now my head is buzzing with pregnant bellies, talk of placentas, belly casts, doulas and all things mom and baby related.

If you chance upon this and want to share an evening with us, please come! It's my chance to have some fun in a work related manner!

L-O-V-E

2011-02-14T14:37:00.000-08:00

Kids and Chiropractic

2011-02-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

I haven't been here lately, but I've actually been working, and Scarlett hasn't napped in a week, so I've been busy. A little tired too.

Something that has come up a dozen times or more at work in the past week or two, is the subject of kids and chiropractic. I would like to share one link to all of the articles on the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association's website. You can check it out if you're wondering if chiropractic can help... asthma, constipation, attention disorders, torticollis, etc.

http://icpa4kids.org/Chiropractic-Research/

As it says on the website, "It is important to realize that chiropractic is not the treatment of any condition. The purpose of chiropractic is to find and reduce stress and interference to the nerve system, allowing the person to experience greater function and an overall improved quality of life."

If you have time to watch this, here's a video of a baby's first Network entrainment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08-8tnoogyg&feature=related

You can see how a baby is adjusted with NSA (Network), and helps them to learn how to release and self-regulate the tension in their bodies. Our daughter was also adjusted the day after her birth (and I felt so bad I didn't adjust her minutes after being born!), but all she did was open her eyes and spit up.

Not So Spa Day

2011-01-24T13:51:00.000-08:00

We have a fun little event at the office called Not So Spa Day. A day for you, but instead of relaxing (at the spa), we make you work!

We have chiropractic adjustments, massage, yoga, breath work sessions, and lunch.

Here's a shot of our fun day:

I think our office makes a nice yoga studio, too. The next Not So Spa day is in May!

Birth and Pregnancy Resources

2011-01-23T14:50:00.000-08:00

Wow! Dr Jeanne Ohm of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association has just put together one of the most comprehensive sites for pregnancy and birth resources:

http://www.makinmiracles.com/resources.html

I'm sure you'll find a few sites of interest.

Bowness Icebreaker

2011-01-23T14:18:00.000-08:00

What to do on a Sunday morning? The 3rd Annual Bowness Icebreaker!

Balloon animals and face painting!Music-this is local teen band Here on the Sun.

Food! Including Scarlett's fudgsicle that she wouldn't share.

I'm a New Fan!

2011-01-19T13:35:00.000-08:00

I had not heard of Miranda Kerr until today, but I'm a fan. Anyone who is famous, has a baby the old fashioned way, wants to share it, and is breastfeeding, gets my vote.

http://www.popsugar.com.au/Miranda-Kerr-Orlando-Bloom-Name-Son-Flynn-Bloom-Photo-Miranda-Kerr-Breastfeeding-13331118

And can I please look that beautiful with our next newborn baby?

Paradox of Days

2011-01-13T10:41:00.000-08:00

Our daughter is experiencing our extremes of parenting this week. After being so committed to not using a dayhome/nanny/alternate caregiver, we're probably doing it. AND we're still taking her to work. Especially this week, our child has been subjected to 2 full shifts (it only means 2-3 hours) and one day of only one hour at the office. With possibly another visit coming up later in the week.

She's had the chance to practice some running around the open adjusting area, play chase with daddy and visiting kids, be with mom during an interview with a massage therapist (it's a great way to test the interviewee), greet clients, play on the computer and whatever else she could get up to (usually ignoring the toys). She seems to love my "new" office space, as do I. She also gets adjusted more often when she just hangs around the office, so it is a win-win.

Then one day this week we interviewed a day home, so she got to play with 2 new kids, and 2 new pets. I justify that it would probably be a good break from being dragged around with mommy and daddy all of the time.

We have some decisions to make, but once I got past my hurdle of thinking that I never wanted to use another caregiver, things seem a lot easier.

I have hesitated on the caregiver route because everything I had read about a full-time caregiver, seemed to be everything that I didn't want when raising my child. Unfortunately, I haven't seen as much information on children in part time childcare. My feeling is that at her age, 2 partial days a week is appropriate for her and her development. And her independence. Our only real test will be when we actually do this.

So my take your baby to work little girl, will soon get some vacation from work.

Blessed

2011-01-11T14:22:00.000-08:00

Do you have a word that defines you or your life?

I was complimenting a patient on her beautiful silver bracelet-when she showed me that it had words and phrases of blessings and gratitude's. It was given to her from a friend, to remind her of her blessings in life, and her word in life. Blessed.

Isn't that simple? One little word and it can completely change your attitude. Or at least it changes mine.

We all have so many things to be grateful for, when we look for them.

Of course, now I also want to pick a word for me. I like serene and sparkling, but they don't have the same impact as blessed. I will have to keep thinking of words that reflect everything that I am, do and have.

Which brings me to the thought that once in grade 7, we had to describe our classmates with a word, and for some reason, I think we had to compare to a fabric (Why, oh why?). A boy in my class said I was like velvet. I won't get into any reasons of why he thought this because it was utterly embarrassing at the time, but today, I do like the idea of being like velvet.

So I will be serene, sparkling, and like velvet. Does that describe me?

Dell 2

2011-01-08T12:48:00.001-08:00

We went back to the Dell Cafe last night for Friday night burgers and chinese food. Our lucky little girl was given this special plate of fish and moose cut out from carrot slices. So cute! (For some background on the Dell, read my Dell'icious post from last year.)

That's all for now. Naps around this house have been rare.

Today is Hard

2011-01-03T18:41:00.000-08:00

I saw the title on Mothering.com, and had to agree.

It's the first real day back to work after the holidays. The two days I worked between Christmas and New Years didn't count because they were so casual. Our clients were relaxed and with no worries about the commute to our office.

Today, other people's kids were back in school. Other people have probably started back at the gym. Me? I haven't been at the gym in years, and my only serious consideration to return was to use the child care so I could have a real shower.

I haven't made any new year's resolutions, so I haven't needed to make that first step. Isn't that the hardest part-just getting the motivation to start and get out the door?

Today is hard getting back into the routine of things. It was an early start; Scarlett was cranky about getting up & kept staying "I stay" when Scott tried to get her out of the house, first to gymnastics, then to the office; the second nature of what to do at work isn't there right now.

Once I finally get back to the office, and back to the routine, it almost feels like a relief. And isn't it a lovely new start once the calendar turns to January? We get a bonus new start at Elan this year, as we have two newly changed over, and now painted, rooms at the office. New practitioners, new energy, and a new year. All at once. Just in time for the new moon tonight. So tomorrow shouldn't be as hard.

Parenting Re-soul-utions

2010-12-29T14:40:00.000-08:00

It must be the end of the year and my brain must be tired, because everyone else seems to have such great ideas. Instead of racking my brain for something creative, I am sharing the...

2011 UrbanMommies parenting resolutions. (my edits, but with a link at the end).

1. I will say no to other people when I cannot stretch my family any further. And, when appropriate, I will say no to my child even if it means a big tantrum will happen.

2. I will sit cross-legged on the floor every day and play blocks, have a tea party, read books or just talk to my kids.

3. I’ll use the time driving in the car to ask my kids questions.

4. We’ll play different music every once in a while and I’ll do a Google search on Beethoven, Country Music or Gregorian Chants as we listen so I can explain the music to my child.

5. We’ll sit around the table as a family for at least one meal per day.

6. Medical, dental records and our emergency contact list will all be organized.

7. We’ll look at our family budget.

8. I will watch the news for 10 minutes daily even if they protest that Dora must stay on the TV. Even though I’m a busy parent, I need to be connected.

9. I’ll identify the 3 reasons why I am a great parent.

10. Even though they are picky eaters, I’ll still try to slip in quinoa, veggies and wheat germ where I can to enhance their diet. When I shop I’ll add good things to my healthy pantry.

11. I’ll try to remember that unstructured days in your PJ’s can be just as important as scheduled activities.

12. I’ll try to ask for what I need – from my partner, friends, family and my kids.

13. I’ll show through example that charity is important.

14. We’ll do a few more things in a greener way – use more baking soda for cleaning, plant some seeds, or start a compost.

15. Every person in the family will try to unclutter.

Even incorporating a couple of these into your weekly routine could help you, the kids and the planet.

http://www.urbanmommies.com/featured-1/2011-parenting-resoultions/

So... I first read this and thought, "Wow! I should do all of these!". The list does have some wonderful ideas on how to be a better parent. Then my real brain kicks in. When did it become such a "job" to raise a family? When did we start thinking of the effort that we should be putting in, instead of this being a natural part of our life? Why do we act like raising a family should come with a set of instructions, and we are either doing things right or wrong? And do we really think that raising our kids is isolated from the rest of our life?

Yes I should broaden my views, but I shouldn't be listening to different types of music solely for the benefit of my child. Of course, music, and various forms of it, should be a part of our life, but if we include it just to check it off the list, haven't we missed the point?

Do I have to tell myself to sit on the floor and play? If I want to engage with my child, isn't that something I would automatically do?

I like to garden, so the compost and planting seeds is something we always do. And Scarlett likes it too. But, if this was something I despised doing, would going through the actions for her benefit, have a positive benefit?

Won't our child see how we get excited to do things that we feel passionate about and learn from that?

I did like the mis-print in the title (intentional or not). That was the first time that I thought of re-soul-utions as returning to our soul.

Happy Parenting (and parenting choices) in 2011!

A Belly Grows

2010-12-28T15:50:00.000-08:00

I have faced the fact that I love pregnant bellies. I loved my own when I was pregnant with Scarlett, and I still love seeing them. They are fun to watch grow, and shift and change. Plus it is fun to see how much more positive and happy people act around a baby belly. (Please tell me you have seen this!)

Here's a cute video that I saw on Facebook today that I thought was fun. It's a series of still photographs, pieced together and then put to music. The information is on the site:

Enjoy!

I did take the title from their title, "Magic-A Belly Grows". And the mom in the picture is the one in the video.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F14235967&h=fca54

http://vimeo.com/14235967

Can I include this as a motivating factor to have another baby? I wish I could look as cute in front of the camera as this mom. Would it take much convincing to talk Scott into taking photos like this?

Christmas Eve at Elan

2010-12-24T13:19:00.001-08:00

All three of us have been spending the day together today. Perhaps unconventionally. All three of us went to work this morning.

Originally Scott was going to work, I was going to be off. Then our new massage therapist was going to work. Then I realized that I should probably be there to help her. Then I started to book some clients here and there, around Scarlett, and the massage schedule. Before I knew it, the morning was busy, and we're all at the office 4 hours today!

We packed up Scarlett's new magnetic "paper dolls"-an early Christmas gift.

We packed up Frosty the tree ornament, the Easter bunny, and a stuffed baby elephant.

We packed a snack, and other essentials.

And off we went.

Today was the day of movies and games on the iPad, painting on the Buddha Board, playing with mega blocks, stamping, stickering, playing chase around the tables, playing on the computer and phone, and learning that the phones page each other. And of course seeing a few familiar faces and a few new ones. It sounds like it could be a typical day at home, doesn't it?

We're looking forward to our quiet Christmas at home this year. I hope our daughter doesn't look back on this one day and think, "you took me to the office on Christmas Eve?!?!".

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Winter Solstice

2010-12-20T13:11:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the day! One winter solstice, one full moon, and one lunar eclipse. Wow! What are you planning to mark the day?

I am blogging a day early because I am reminding myself to keep my mind smiling and my intentions positive, since this is a very powerful time of year for manifesting what you want in your life.

At the very least I will be continually reminding myself, "Thank you for my health, thank you for my family and their health, thank you for my house, thank you for Elan and all the people that visit us there..." You get the idea. Plus I hope to devote some time to what I would like to create in my life in 2011.

One year Scott built a huge wheel for the Winter Solstice and we attached our intentions to it, and then set it on fire. So fun! We haven't planned anything so dramatic for this year, but I will still mark the day.

Happy Solstice and Intention Day!

I Love Homeopathics

2010-12-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

I love Scarlett's homeopathics.

She's teething. I assume that is what the hand in the mouth, full tilt screeching noise, and general irritability is. I would also love to adjust her but she won't let me near her spine. I can't say which comes first but teething and upper cervical (neck) irritation seem to go hand in hand.

Off to Bowness Health Food Store we went. At 6:30 pm 2 nights ago. I thought I was doing a quick run by myself, but Scarlett put on her boots so both of us went. It was probably a good idea that she came because do you ever find that kids should pick this type of thing out for her (him) self? For instance-I will hold up 2 remedies which both seem to fit her symptoms, and which ever one she picks is the winner. Its very scientific. So we came home with the Camilia blend by Boiron and Calcarea Phosphorous pellets. If you haven't shopped at this store before, they are always so helpful, and they are a landmark in Bowness.

The Camilia blend is winning so far. One little doseage and Scarlett calmed down within 5 minutes. It is amazing. A couple times we've had to use 2 doses, but so far it hasn't failed.

Have you tried homeopathics yet?

I will say that this is the generic usage of homepathics. Our naturopath is on maternity leave and we have yet to see a homeopathic doctor. A constitutional remedy would probably be much more effective, but I'm still pretty happy with our results.

If you're scratching your head and asking what homeopathics are-what is the easiest description? They are a natural "medicine" of very diluted quantities; I think they work energetically, but please feel free to correct me. I feel a million times better about giving my daughter homeopathics than resorting to any pain or teething medicine. I'm hoping that one day Scarlett will one day think of them for all of her bumps and owies. And yes, even offering her Arnica seems to somehow soothe her spirits.

Absence

2010-12-13T17:51:00.000-08:00

Absence does make the heart grow fonder. My brain and fingers have been itching to write something, anything!

I wish I could say it was just the holidays that have kept us busy. Picking out our tree, decorating it, going to Christmas parties and Open Houses, baking, shopping, wrapping, mailing... We have been doing that & yesterday I even hauled out every tacky ornament that I own.

See?

Scarlett's new constant companions are the Santa salt and pepper shakers, and candle holders, and any general ornament that wouldn't hang from the tree.

We decorated the tree the equivalent of two times-most of the ornaments within reach were removed by Scarlett, and re-hung.

Aside from Christmas, we've been busy with work. Seeing clients of course, but we've also been interviewing, trying to juggle the schedule for the new year, celebrating our birthday, working on the website, and even adding a facebook page. (Welcome to this millennium). You can check out my new projects here:

Our new massage therapist Sandra, offering Pregnancy and Post-natal massage and reflexology; http://www.elanfamilywellness.com/Featured-Practitioner.htm.

My new Elan Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Elan-Family-Wellness-Centre/155310474515559

They may seem like small feats, but they sure take the time. It was definitely memorable doing an interview with Scarlett in tow. (You have kids? You don't mind do you?).

I'm wondering if the last 3 weeks of this year will continue to hold this much activity? Is there some down time ahead? (Or maybe I used up that time by travelling to Italy?).

Six Year Old Baby

2010-12-06T13:17:00.000-08:00

I thought that I became a mother when Scarlett was born. (Or conceived-is that when you start feeling maternal?) However, now that my first baby has its birthday today, I'm realizing that I've felt like a mom for longer than that. As odd as it may sound, our little business does feel like part of our family. Its so odd, and why am I writing that?

Our Six Year Old Baby (officially 6 years old TODAY) is Elan Family Wellness Centre. I guess she's a girl, and Sagittarius apparently.

We've worried about her at night. (Mainly after Elan was broken in to.). We've made special trips back to make sure she's OK. (Yes, I'm a little OCD). I try to bring nice people to her to visit. We remind her to be patient and polite and have manners with everyone who comes, even if we sometimes don't feel like it. We've had many meals with Elan, and many, many, many snacks. We bring her plants to keep the air nice and try to keep her at a comfortable temperature. We decorate for some seasons or holidays, and have even done the Christmas decorating this year. I think she generally looks "pretty".

We've had fun with Elan, and frustrations. Like every kid and business, growing pains were part of the journey. She can run us off our feet, or have times with complete laziness and time to drink tea or coffee. Or to fret about her future. (Will she grow up to be a BIG office one day?)

Elan even survived us leaving her a few times in trusted hands-for holidays, including a few times with replacements for me. We had the big event when Scarlett arrived, when she was left alone for months (well, 2 months) and only got tiny bits of attention since. Is that what happens to older children? They get a little bit ignored when the baby arrives?

I'm happy to say that Elan has survived and thrived to the ripe old age of 6! I don't aspire for Elan to be "bigger" as we like her just as she is. We appreciate her welcoming and warm personality. It has been nice to have Elan as part of the family for these past several years.

The Secret

2010-12-03T08:20:00.001-08:00

We have the movie The Secret running in the background at our house. Scott has watched it the last 2 mornings and I watched most of it last week (Scarlett does cry for cartoons if the TV is on!). It will be on most of the weekend, I hope. I try to catch pieces of it here and there. It's a movie we've been watching for years-since the big release and groups would hold "premiere" nights. It was a very exciting time when it was first released, and I'm trying to re-capture that excitement!

Have you watched it?

It's my secret for keeping my attitude in a positive place. For focusing on gratitude, the potential in certain situations, and to keep my mood up.

And if someone complains to me too long, I'll ask if they've watched it. Or heard of it. Or watched it recently.

If you haven't watched the movie, The Secret is about the Law of Attraction. How what we focus on is what we bring into our life. Being responsible for what we have created, and how to use that to create what we want in our life.

What do you want to create in your life? What will you do this weekend to bring that one step closer to you?

Innate Wisdom

2010-11-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

Indulge me while I share yet another story about Scarlett.

She is all about labeling things these days. All females are mommies. Males are daddies. Little creatures are babies (this includes toys, animals in pictures, humans, etc.) with the big creatures being parents and either mommies or daddies. We have talked about mommies are females, and daddies are males but she still calls them mommies and daddies.

Hopefully you are following this so far.

This morning while sitting on my lap, she starting to call her left foot mommy, over and over again. I finally thought I'd play along, and said, "Your left foot is mommy?". Nods yes. Then she starts to point at her right foot and says "daddy". And goes back and forth pointing at her left foot, saying mommy, right foot, daddy.

Which may seem odd, but then I told Scott as it started to dawn on me.

The left side of our body is commonly associated with our feminine; our right side with our masculine. Our left side (right brain) is creativity, nurturing, intuition; our right side (left brain)our warrior, rational and analytical thought.

Coincidence? Just ask your kid which is the male and which is the female.

Dell'icious

2010-11-26T18:43:00.000-08:00

We just got back from our Friday night in Bowness (and yes, I'm writing this at precisely 7:45 pm).

Fortunately, Scarlett and I also had our hair done this afternoon, so we were ready for our big night out. (First hair cut for Scarlett!)

We decided to go for dinner at the Dell cafe-if it was open. We've been meaning to go for a few years now, but always try to go there on Sunday when it's closed. We loaded ourselves into the car and drove the block and a half to the cafe. We took the car just in case it was already closed and we need to drive to Angels.

It was open! Until 7:30 that is, so we had enough time to order and eat, with time to spare.
I had a bacon cheeseburger with soup, and Scott had Chinese-sweet and sour chicken and pork with noodles and rice. Good food.

It was fun and it is a diner-the TV was on, loads of photos on the wall, and tables and chairs circa 1970's. (plus or minus the decade). And yes, Canadian and Chinese food in case you can't decide. There is a breakfast menu on the wall, but who doesn't love that to the cynical critic I read online when I was searching for the hours. Customers actually talk to each other; or some sit alone and drink their coffee or eat their soup or fries; and the family/staff were very friendly.
To add to the evening, the staff/family/owners all sat down and ate their dinners at the table beside us. While in my head I reminisced on my one summer waitressing when we would do the same.

Then the owner appeared with this little doll and gave it to Scarlett. I swear we can't take her anywhere without her getting little gifts. (Ok, that was just in Italy.) He said it was from the Hillhurst Flea Market. Isn't she pretty? We have named her Della.
Then he came back and asked us if we were from Bowness. Of course! And he took our picture on his camera. We're not really sure why, except he made mention of the customers at the table in the corner that are writing a book on the history of Bowness.

That's our evening. Why did it take us until now to actually make it there? I've lived in Bowness since 2001.

To sum, I would recommend the Dell Cafe. If you want to meet me there, let me know. I'm just around the corner and could walk over there. If you don't know where it is-its by the Esso on Bowness Road, which is by the Bownesian Grocer, which is in the same parking lot as the Boys and Girls club, the video store, the bakery, the dollar store... See you there!

Photos of our Winner from Eons ago.

2010-11-23T19:18:00.000-08:00

Remember the blog give-away that I did months and months ago? We drew for a photo shoot with http://www.stickoutyourfacephotography.com/. It took a while to get the photos done, but Jenny and her family, and Scott were out this weekend and snapped some family photos.

Here they are!

http://handsfullofhappiness.blogspot.com/2010/11/can-you-tell-how-cold-we-are.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+handsFullOfHappiness+%28%7Bhands+full+of+happiness%7D%29

They're a brave bunch for enduring the -18 degree weather that we had. I think they look pretty good!

Dinner Happens

2010-11-23T16:12:00.000-08:00

What is the quote? "Life happens when we are making other plans."?

I just realized that in our house, dinner happens while I am making... dinner?

Scarlett is a snacker-when I can get her to eat real food that is. Her afternoon snacks seems to meld into pre-dinner time dinner, until I suddenly realize that she's eaten dinner before I've even finished cooking. Such as the "meal" above. One half eaten pear that she worked on for close to an hour. Then kidney beans and sausage. By the time dinner rolled around, she just ate the rice to complete her meal.

Is this why parents sometimes feed the kids around 5 pm at night? (And not the 6:30 to 7 pm in our household.)

Switch to Gratitude

2010-11-22T15:47:00.000-08:00

Sorry to complain about the weather, but it is another of those days. Today was one dead car battery, 2 trips to and from work by 1 pm, a treck across the parking lot with a really heavy, new car battery, and -20 weather (plus wind chill of course). Gotta love it. My car is resisting the car weather. Just like its owner.

I was complaining in my head when I realized I had better change my attitude or I'd have worse to complain about. So, yes, I am grateful I have a car to drive; that I'm warm in this weather; and that we are all healthy. The house is fine with the cold weather; the office is good. I covered the basics there.

Then I let Scarlett play outside until her face was only mildly red. (And my non-snowpanted legs were just starting to cry out). It seemed to help her burn off some toddler steam.

Then we got mail! Scarlett had a late birthday present from her Auntie. I'm dying to take pictures of the book because it has the most beautiful illustrations-the book is called Red Sings From Treetops by Joyce Sidman and Pamela Zagarenski.

I tried to take photos but there is one camera with a battery that's dead, and one camera with the settings too complicated to work. (Thanks photographic husband!). So, the pictures will come later. The book and the snazzy sparkly sneakers and hair clips for Scarlett made me smile.

Today was a little reminder that things do get better when we come from a place of gratitude. Thanks for the gentle reminder and only gentle reminders please!

Snow Day

2010-11-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

I feel suspiciously absent from my blog and I was thinking about why.

The snow is very pretty when I look out my window. Scarlett and Raven looked so cute playing in the backyard (especially Scarlett in her brand new, purple, 2 sizes too big, marshmallow snowsuit), and it does feel a little like Christmas. I even shovelled a little bit without complaining.

But an hour commute to get to work? Really? I should have declared it a snow day and let everyone who was booked in to see me, off the hook. I was anxious about driving to work in my freshly home from the auto body shop, new paint and all-car-and Scott said to just drive slowly. But 5 km/hour? I hope he didn't mean that. The winter tires will be on the car soon; we're just a little delayed by the hail repairs and our trip. (By the way, I wasn't the reason, and there appeared to be no reason aside from snow, for the 5 km/hr drive.)

I'm a little grumpy about the weather, although I like the excuse to hibernate for the moment. Until Scarlett's class in the morning, and my afternoon of work tomorrow.

Does anyone else have a hard time finishing the holiday and getting back to real life? Our jet lag is done, we've faced the weather, work is back to usual, Christmas feels like its coming soon. Maybe I need some more reminiscing about the trip still, or to help Scott with his upcoming photo book! Maybe I'll need to discover (or rediscover) the charms of this frozen city.

Reality of Travel with a Toddler

2010-11-13T15:19:00.001-08:00

I thought you may enjoy seeing some real photos of what it's like to travel with a 2 year old.

They don't cooperate for photos. Or understand why they can't explore.

They will still make shy. Even if moments before they were begging to see Pinocchio.

They run.

Dogs, puddles, and pigeons are more exciting than cathedrals or things like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

They tantrum.

And they eat all of your gelato.

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The places I have nursed

2010-11-12T10:35:00.001-08:00

A rare photo of me breastfeeding.

Travelling expanded my breastfeeding experience. I have now nursed Scarlett in many more places than I ever expected:

In Airports
On Airplanes. And on Airplanes with Scarlett belted into her seat and me belted into mine.
On Trains. With a stranger at my elbow.
On a boat? (I actually can't remember if I needed to breastfeed on the vaporetto or not. Scott?).
In the car of course. That one wasn't new.
On the grounds of the Vatican.
Outside churches and Cathedrals.
In squares, piazzas, steps, and on benches.
At mealtime. Most memorably at dinner in Rome, at a sidewalk cafe.

Maybe that's all. And I kept watching, but I never saw any other mother nursing in public. Until I reached my seminar in Como, and another mom who was from the UK was nursing her baby.

Does that mean that they don't breastfeed or that they only breastfeed behind closed doors?

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Little Worried

2010-11-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

Is it a bad thing when your 2 year old is napping at 10:30 in the morning? (After no morning nap since spring or so?). And I meant to nap with her too, to help get through this jet lag, but I can't possibly nap this early in the day. Maybe she'll nap into the afternoon?

I've been waking up at 5:30/6 am and finding that I'm getting a lot done in the mornings. It makes me consider that I should try to keep it up after the jet lag is gone. Unfortunately, I don't think I could maintain this for long. And who can really go to bed by 9pm anyways?

Our transition home is going very smoothly. The plane brought us home on time; we both had 2 days of work and Scott is now on Day 3; laundry is mostly done; we have groceries in the house; Scarlett has diapers; I almost cleaned up my mail and email. We've even looked at the almost 2000 photos that Scott shot. And we're mainly unpacked.

I am missing my car, which appears to be held hostage at the auto body shop. We were supposed to have it back the day we arrived home, but I'm still waiting. Just a little hiccup before we're back to life as usual.

Now it looks like we should be getting ready for Christmas. The immersion into the Christmas spirit is a bit of a shock after the void of Christmas commercialism in Italy. I'll try wrapping my brain around generating some seasonal joy!

We're sad to have left Italy, but it's always nice to come home. All 5 of us are together again (that includes Sabrina and Raven who had their own holidays) muddling around and trying to find our routines again. And I'm planning more posts and photos from our trip, to come!

Sweet Tooth

2010-11-08T08:18:00.001-08:00

If you have a sweet tooth, Italy is your place. Unless you're trying to curb the addiction. I have almost sworn off gelato, except I have a tiny fear I may never experience such perfection again!

May I list all of this foods I either loved, or wish I had more of?

Meringues. Brioches. Chocolate croissants. Pasteries with jam or with icing sugar sprinkled on top.

Espresso that requires a packet of sugar. And you should see the size of the bowl of sugar packages that I saw today at lunch-it was like a punch bowl of sugar! Scarlett has taken to dipping her finger into the half empty sugar pack, which will end tomorrow.

Candies at my seminar, fruit candies at the B&B. Cake for breakfast. Pie for breakfast. Cookies for breakfast.

Desserts. Always offered at every meal, and definitely eaten the past 5 days in Como-tiramassu, cakes, panna cotta, I can't spell any of them and no, my Italian hasn't improved.

Windows of pastry shops and chocolate or candy stores. On every other block, in addition to the bars and cafes. Of course they all look very pretty with the perfectly wrapped candy baskets, or displays of baked goods.

What happens when I leave all of this indulgence? Will I bake? Shop at our local bakery? Cut the sugar out?

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Photos from Italy

2010-11-08T07:31:00.001-08:00

We're currently en route to Como (I'm now 5 days past starting this post.) which is the last leg of our journey. Didn't I plan to write and post photos more often? Of course, but despite my best intentions, holidays and a toddler intervened!

The last few days we were in Lucca, Tuscany. We stayed in a little bed and breakfast called Casa Alba-53 steps up from the main street!

Here's the view from our room-yes, rain!

Here we are in Florence in Piazza Duomo. We did a day trip to Florence-we took the train in for about 5 euros each (so cheap!) and saw David and the Uffizi.

We also took a quick drive over to Pisa-which was fun and campy. Seeing the leaning tower for the first time is quite impressive.

Can I get any more touristy that this? I'm getting eager to see all of our photos-not just the iPhone ones...

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Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T09:30:00.001-07:00

We've only seen a couple of indicators of Halloween in Italy. A few displays in shop windows, a few costumes for sale, and that's all. Apparently the Italians have started to celebrate it and some kids may trick or treat, but it is only a "commercial" holiday.

The closest thing, which really had nothing to do with the holiday, was the pan handlers dressed up- as angels, a pharaoh, and Pinocchio. We saw them outside the Verona Arena. Scarlett wanted to see them up close, until they moved and scared her.

Tomorrow is All Saints Day, which is a celebrated holiday here in Italy, and then November 2nd is The Day of the Dead.

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Travelling Boots

2010-10-31T02:39:00.001-07:00

Ok, It's a funny photo of me, but when in Rome...

Actually, we're in Venice on check out day, just outside of our apartment. I've been calling these my traveling boots because they're too big for my suitcase, so I wear them everyday we travel between cities.

And I had to buy boots because everyone woman in Rome was wearing a pair and I think these were the only boots in Italy in my size (41) that were under 100 euro. I bought them from a great market in Testaccio-just across the river from where we stayed in Rome.

Happy travels!

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Bella

2010-10-31T02:09:00.001-07:00

Italians do love their babies. And our daughter.

There are a lot of babies here. Mainly in strollers (up to about 3 years old it seems). They usually seem sleepy, docile, sucking on a soother. Or running around a park. And there are lots of baby and children's stores.

With all of that, Scarlett has been on the receiving end of a lot of attention.

The Bakery women have given her bread sticks and sweet buns.

The street vendor forcibly gave Scott a rubber toy (quickly discarded).

A lady on our vaporetto to Murano played peek-a-boo and games with Scarlett for 20 minutes, before giving her a "chuppa chuppa" key chain.

She kept saying "Bella" to Scarlett and saying she either had a beautiful smile or teeth?!

Scarlett was given a balloon-good marketing ploy-of course we bought a sweater from the guy.

Many random seniors have patted her head, squeezed her leg or foot, etc...

At our latest B&B, the stuffed animals and animal mug have appeared.

They either treat their children well, or our daughter is being spoiled by the Italians.

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Time Warp 2

2010-10-31T01:59:00.001-07:00

Not that we weren't confused enough by time, but we just had a time change last night. We managed to double set our time back, and thought we were getting up on time, but were almost late for our pre-arranged breakfast time. (It was only for 9 am- you'd think we could manage that!).

So, is it now a 7 hour time difference from home? Or 8 hour? Or 9?

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Time Warp

2010-10-30T05:28:00.003-07:00

We have no Internet, no TV, and no Clocks.

We dry our laundry on a line or on a rack.

We can listen to tapes like Harry Belafonte, Huey Lewis, or Barbara Streisand. Yes, I said tapes.

No cars, no scooters, no buses.

I brought a map that must be from the 50's. And it's accurate.

Scott's GPS thinks we are still in Rome. (We're in Venice.)

Our apartment is full of antiques and dark wood furniture, and a huge wardrobe. Marble stairs on the entrance way up.

We love it like this, and it feels so authentic. But I'm not certain if all of Venice is like this, or if it is unique to this apartment. The only thing I can tell for sure is that everyone does their laundry this way. I'm secretly convinced that the tourism board pays the locals to hang their prettiest and most colorful laundry to amuse people like me. Tourists.

Truthfully, there is Internet in our apartment but we can't access it without having a wireless router. These new fangled devices. At least the iPhone tells time.

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Sleepless in Serenissima

2010-10-30T05:28:00.001-07:00

Or, Sleepless in Rome, Jet Lag, Sleep Schedules, Sleep(less) Schedules.

As I'm writing this, it is magical day 8, which means an end to the jet lag. If you follow the theory of one day per hour of time change. My hopes aren't too high, but we'll see if it gets better.

Fortunately, we are distracted from the jet lag by all of the amazing sights. It is impossible to look in any direction in Venice and not be in awe. Yesterday alone was San Marco square, too many churches to list, fish stands, fruit stands, bakeries, pigeons, dogs, restaurants, and of course, canals and water everywhere.

But to address the sleep schedule, because if I know parents, we talk about sleep on a daily basis, whether traveling or not. Let us say, we must be flexible.

Last night was Scarlett's best sleep- from 8 pm to 6 am with only light awakenings. But now it is 11 am and she's back asleep and we didn't even leave the apartment.

Last night was the first without a party and meal somewhere between 1 am to 5 am. (By meal, I mean yogurt, juice, etc.). Typically sleep can happen in 2-4 hour increments.

Scarlett has woken up as early as 5 am, or as late as 9:30/10. Which means we leave the house as early as 8 am or as late as noon. She'll usually nap-again as early as 11 am, or late in the afternoon. Or skip her nap, like yesterday. Somedays we have had long naps (over 3 hours) followed by a nap in the Ergo. We usually try to be "home" around lunchtime.

That means we usually manage a destination/tour/adventure in the morning, and then head out again in the late afternoon.

And bedtime- she's fallen asleep as early as 6 pm, once at 8 pm during dinner at a patio restaurant, or up until midnight!

Any routine there? Add to it all the fact that Scott and I are also jet lagged and wide awake at odd hours, and you have our sleep schedule! We have been using melatonin, and super EFA's to try to balance things out.

Maybe we'll cut out the after dinner espresso next...

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Scarlett's Traveling Tips and Tidbits

2010-10-23T12:06:00.001-07:00

Our daughter is traveling like a pro-we've only had a few mishaps so far, and none major!

I'm sure I'll post in more detail later on, but so far some of the things revolving around traveling with a toddler are:

Getting a leg trapped in the Calgary airport passenger waiting seats. (oops. We thought we may have to call the fire department but Scarlett escaped with only two monster bruises on her knee). TIP-pack the arnica in your carry-on, not in your checked luggage, as I did!

Drinking so much juice, water, and milk between the hours of 6 pm to 12 am on the first day of travels, that roughly equalled the normal amount consumed in a 48 hour period, and then eventually flooding out of the diaper, through her pants, onto the plane seat.

Getting fast tracked in Heathrow. Guess there are bonuses to flying with a little one! And the ergo was definitely a happy purchase once we had to boogie through that airport.

Being stuck on the tarmac in Heathrow for over 2 extra hours while they fixed our plane-what toddler wouldn't love that? Then once she fell asleep, the airline attendant made me move her into her own seat even though she's under 2 and was strapped to me with the seat belt! Scarlett screamed about that, and I was none too pleased with the attendant. Eventually her new dollar store magna doodle type toy, distracted her.

TIP - pack lots of new and cheap toys when traveling with a toddler. Ones that we can lose and won't be upset, but will distract her for hours. And again, our iPad was a pretty good distraction. And snacks.

We've been welcomed to Italy-waved into the country by customs and security in fact. Scarlett's sunny smile is earning her extra attention by some. Like fellow tour participants at the Vatican, the deli man offering her prosciutto, strangers playing peek-a-boo.

What else happened? Second diaper flood on the second flight, although I no longer had a spare change of clothes. Jet lag of course, both up until midnight and then with two 4:30 am wake-ups. Scarlett is faring better than us with the time change. She has danced around our table when we ate out at our local pizzeria. Played with the locals at a children's playground, and endured a 3 hour tour of the Vatican, ended with sleeping in the carrier in St. Peter's Basilica. And ate gelato-both nutella and strawberry flavors.

Needless to say we are enjoying Rome. We've been exploring our little neighborhood, Trastavere, exposed ourselves to the craziness of the Vatican today, and look forward to more food and sights and ruins in the next couple of days. As I said earlier, hopefully more details to come!

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Carrier Addiction

2010-10-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

I've heard it can happen-if you baby wear, you may end up addicted to baby carriers-wraps, slings, carriers, etc. It has happened to me and I'm not even a die-hard baby wearer. I don't even have a baby any more-she's a big girl! However, with our upcoming trip, I broke down and bought an Ergo today, in hopes that it may restrain her in airports, museums, and train stations.

I had just nicely gotten home and unpacked from our shopping trip and was about to try on my standard, burgundy ergo, when I checked my email and found one from the seller of an unused black organic with embroidery ergo, selling for the same price. Ooops.

You know you have a problem when you start to think about buying the second one and running around town to do so, and making up excuses for why you should be able to return an item that is "final sale". I decided to be rational and not buy the beautiful black one.

Now we have a new ergo and when we got around to putting it on, Scarlett refused to go in it. I'll try again after her nap. She sat in it so nicely when we tried it on in the store.

I've heard that people love their ergos (and beco's even more), so I hope we develop that relationship over the next several weeks. I feel a little like I'm betraying my old wraps since I have left them behind. Maybe there is one true love for every stage of babyhood.

For instance, we bought our soft and stretchy Baby Buddha wrap when Scarlett was only days old. And loved that one until Scarlett was around 6-9 months old. I'm sure that we used it daily, for naps, walks, chores, cranky time, non-cranky time, everything. Then came the Hotsling, which I've seen used from newborns up, but I loved it for the hip carry stage. Finally we had a true wrap-an Ellaroo. Admittedly the least used of them all, but still helpful when I could strap her on my back, until she figured out how to wriggle out. We used it most around the one year mark and up to about a year and a half. If I had used it more, I would probably feel more comfortable with the tying and wrapping.

That's all we own. So maybe I'm not too bad because I have heard of some moms that own in excess of a dozen. We will either have many options of how to carry any future babies, or a few items to sell on Kijiji! (I've heard they keep their value-thank goodness!).

Wish me luck getting my big girl into her new carrier!

One More Book, please!

2010-10-13T20:52:00.001-07:00

Leaving the office these days feels almost like a drawn out bedtime routine.

One more book. (Repeated 4-5 times)

Another drink of water.

Color a little.

Gather the guys (stuffed animals, miniature animals, dolls...)

Play with the toys.

Help a little behind the desk.

Grab a facecloth, climb onto a table.

Climb up on the chair and Draw on the Buddha board.

Hug Daddy good bye.

Another book, please.

Wave good bye to everybody. And finally, run down the hallway to push the elevator button.

I thought our work transition would take 10-15 minutes; instead we just hang out at the office for 30-45 minutes extra. I guess the toys at the office must be super exciting! And lots of good books.

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Planning Italy-Trains, Cars, and Museums

2010-10-10T20:02:00.001-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving and 10-10-10 day. We are in between company and still squeezing in as much holiday planning as we can. Tomorrow will be our thanksgiving!

In case I haven't lost you with my planning, I thought I'd share some great sites. We've finished booking our accommodations and have moved onto transportation and excursions...

We booked a train from Rome to Venice and look forward to seeing the countryside at 250km/hr! The main website to book trains is:

http://www.trenitalia.com

With some really useful tips on:

http://www.seat61.com/Italy-trains.htm

We had no problem booking with my credit card, although the seat 61 site makes reference to many problems with different cards. Just no Amex, and it did keep switching me from English to Italian. It is worth booking ahead, as we just saved 30% by booking at least 15 days in advance. (or you can save 15% by booking 7 days in advance). The train system in Italy sounds pretty self-serve, from buying tickets to validating them, to finding your own seat. We have assigned seats and hope it all goes smoothly.

Our trip will be half car-less, and half with car. Scott's gearing up for some crazy driving. Train travel is highly recommended in Italy, but we have too many pieces to connect, and have opted for a car for the second half.

For tours/excursions, we're trying to keep our days relatively unscheduled since we have a toddler and are unsure how the travels will go. However, we have booked some essential tours and booked them directly through the sites:

We decided that we must tour the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peters. We are going with a guided tour, booked at www.vatican.va. Rumor has it, booking in advance may help to save some time waiting in lines.

We also booked our museum tickets for when we day trip to Florence. The site www.polomuseale.firenze.it let us book tickets for both the Uffizi and Accademia. If you've been to Florence, you may think it's a shame that this is all we will be seeing, but we've decided to limit Florence to a day. I originally thought the lines would be too much to endure, and now I'm thinking that these 2 sites will be more than enough. Plus, a nice walk through town of course.

That's all we've planned to do so far! We've checked out expedia, and tours available through our travel agent, and may find some last minutes ones to do when we are there. Otherwise, we expect to spend our days relatively self directed.

Since a good chunk of our positive experience of our trip will be the anticipation of it, I'll try to squeeze as much anticipation as possible into the days leading up to our departure!

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Nature Abhors a Vacuum

2010-10-06T19:41:00.000-07:00

I expanded my hours at work. I am now at the office an extra 4-6 hours per week. My intention is that I will see clients in this time, but at the moment it is still very lightly booked and as a result, I have all this new time available to me. I am plugging through a few things that I've needed to get done, and generally really liking this space that I have. For the moment. Because it is like time that has just been handed to me as a gift.

I keep thinking of the silly idiom, Nature Abhors a Vacuum. Of course my vacuum consisting of this wonderful time in my schedule will soon be filled, so I am trying to enjoy it.

I remember the first time someone handed this advice to me- to be cautious of the nature of our universe to fill the void. It was in the form of relationship advice. 'Tis better to be single until you recover & heal, and to learn the lessons that you need to, then to let nature fill the vacuum that was left behind from the past relationship. (I paraphrase). Or you can learn the lessons on the next time around!

I will say that it is good to be aware that this is how the universe works. It can also be used to your benefit-if there is something you want or are missing in your life, just make the space for it and believe it will appear, and poof! There it should be. (Now if I could only make that work on demand).

I have momentarily created some space for myself, and it has been good for my sanity. I am taking note and trying to learn my lesson. When this time becomes filled, then I will probably need to carve out some more "me-time" without disguising it as work! Whether we are stay at home, or work out of the home parents, we all need to carve out some personal time and space. Doesn't that sound so simple?

Heading to Halloween

2010-10-03T16:12:00.000-07:00

A spooky day at Calaway Park. Here's Scott and Scarlett. We even made it through the haunted house!

However, Scarlett is not too sure what to make of the train ride.

We haven't thought about Halloween costumes for this year. Or even if we should dress up since we'll be away.

What about you? Who's dressing up for the 31st?

Italy Planning 2

2010-10-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

We turned over the calendar yesterday to our new month, and I had a day of panic. Now I can see the days that we're on holiday. I'm scrambling to accomplish some more planning, before we wind up boarding the plane!

When I last blogged about Italy, we had only our Rome accommodation booked. In case anybody wants to copy what we're planning to do, here's our plan, and some resources.

We plan to travel from Rome to Venice by train, and then get on a boat and head to Venice. I've still been using VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner) and found our Venetian rental on this site. (Again, very efficient email replies, smooth booking process.) I don't know what happens between train, getting onto a boat and discovering Venice. Still need to figure that out.

In Venice, we have decided to stay in an area called Castello. If I've read the travel books and website correctly, it is a little off the beaten tourist path, sound familiar? It has some green space/parks, which are both rare on Venice, and hopefully a space in which we can turn Scarlett loose. We're close to the vaporetto-it sounds so exciting-and markets, but still close enough to the tourist sites that we should be fine on foot. I'm looking forward to hanging out our laundry on the line to dry.

Venice sounds dark and moody, and I've read that it is best to discover in the middle of the night. We will wait and see how the sleeping habits and naps go, and perhaps we will be roaming and lost in Venice at 3 am.

Next my travel plans turn a little foggy. I've booked Como at the end of our trip-entirely work related-but now we have 5 days left between Venice and Como, and about 2 weeks worth of things we want to see. I want to go to Verona and urged on by everyone who's been to Italy, we decide to include Tuscany. Plus Pisa, Florence, Cinque Terre... I've picked Lucca to act as a base in Tuscany, and that's where my frustrations begin. No replies to emails. I'm scared to pick up the phone because my Italian will rely entirely on body language. So there's been a lot of reading and internet searching. And I must embrace La Dolce Vita, si?

I have found the site, http://www.emmeti.it/ which has been very useful, especially for B&B type places. And I'm back to contacting places recommended in my preferred travel book (Italy spend less see more) and shockingly, it's working.

I just booked 2 nights in Verona at a small B&B and all that's left is the last 3 days in Lucca. Or somewhere else if it doesn't work. I am a budget traveller and I hope that means when I sit in my room, I know I'm in Italy. Or that I'm staying with some friendly Italians in their 3 room hotel... I also hope that my budget accommodations still come with a private bath, and enough quiet that Scarlett can sleep in the middle of the day. I shall report later on how it all turns out!

As for now, the siesta has ended and the sun is inviting us outside. Italy planning will have to wait for now.

Fall Friday

2010-10-01T18:50:00.001-07:00

A bit of an odd Friday for us, but it was complete with a long play in the sunny backyard amongst the leaves. Raking leaves. Piling leaves. Jumping in leaves. Getting buried in leaves. Finding leaves in a diaper hours later.

Watch out for those pokey sticks protruding from the fire pit! (If you think Fisher Price is dangerous, you should check out our backyard).

Enjoy the warm and sunny weekend!

The Siesta

2010-09-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

We will soon be heading to the land of the siesta-long lazy lunches, naps optional. (I heard they watch lots of western movies in Italy during their siesta time-is that true?)

Does the siesta sound familiar? Sort of like having a toddler in the house. Slow picky eating lunches. Huge nap after lunch. We're going to fit right in, when we go to Italy. I rarely try to accomplish anything outside of the house between 1-4 pm.

Inside the house is an entirely different matter. Some days when I'm tired, I think about lying down for a nap as well, except my brain seems to get very active at that time of day. Truth is, it is my most productive time of day-aside from client time of course.

What do I do? You may be able to tell by my frequency of writing, it's a good time to write.

But when the writing gets pushed aside, I also find it is a good time to book-keep. (Which, I am proud to say, I am almost caught on-something I didn't expect with a toddler in the house).

Or when the bookkeeping gets pushed aside, right now, at least, I'm researching where to go in Italy-where to stay, what to see, maybe I'll get around to learning some of the language? The planning has come into conflict with La Dolce Vita-my patience is being challenged at the moment. (But still enjoyable).

If Italy planning gets pushed aside, it may be because I'm trying really hard to get paperwork done that I brought home from the office.

I sometimes squeeze in Oprah-but so far it was only her first episode back (and that was 10 days ago). I sometimes squeeze in a little laundry folding. Or dinner prep. Which makes me start to wonder, if the men are at home watching the westerns, are the women beside them on the couch, or are they continuing on their day as usual?

I need to stretch this siesta time, without tricking my daughter into thinking day is night and night is day-which is something she may already believe. And one day, I may have to siesta myself.

Calgary Corn Maze

2010-09-26T18:30:00.000-07:00

We couldn't think of a better fall activity, than heading out to the Calgary Corn Maze. It was a bit of a hike for us traveling from the NW, to this location east on 22x. They are located on 284022 Township Road 224, Rockview. Just head east on 22x and watch for the signs. The hours are varible-two afternoons during the week, and then full days Friday to Sunday-go to their website! The drive was worth it as we spent the better part of the morning/afternoon.

http://www.calgarycornmaze.com/hours

There is a petting zoo, with goats, a donkey, and chickens. There are pigs, sheep, and bunnies to look at, too. We missed the pig races, which happened just when we were arriving.

Of course, we went through one of the corn mazes. We only went through the little maze, which took us about 20 minutes. For those so inclined, there are activities that you can participate in, through the maze. The corn is over 6 feet tall! The big maze can take around an hour to complete, and we weren't convinced that Scarlett would last that long. In the middle there is a viewpoint that we'd occasionally see groups climb up to.

There are many activities for all ages. Scarlett enjoyed the mini-hay mazes and the kids playground. We had lots of fun on the bouncy pillows (think bouncy castle without the walls) and on the train ride.

We even posed for a few photos, with the cut-outs for faces, of farm animals, and corn cobs. (Gee, too bad that those file sizes of the photos were too big to upload...)

Later in the season, they will also have a pumpkin patch. Pack some rubber boots because it was muddy! You can also pack a picnic, or buy food from the concession stand.

Enjoy your day at the Calgary Corn Maze!

Mompetitors

2010-09-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

I was laughing so hard, I was crying, watching the following youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikvcS3Oe-oA

What happened to the good old days of parenting? You know, the main goal was to keep the kid alive, maybe have some polite manners, graduate from school. I remember my mom taking me to WI meetings (that's Women's Institute meetings) and as long as I was quiet, everything was fine and I was generally ignored. They fed me, but I was to fend for my own entertainment. Shocking.

Today, the kids are in the spotlight. I may be an example of this: We have our work schedule arranged around the precious one, I devote hours to scrap booking her life, I sit online so I get get her into classes, we spend time taking her to classes (OK-two a week is my limit), Scarlett has nicer clothes than either of us-and in more abundance, we make the dog tolerate her, she has more play dates than either of us... and yes, the thought of where to send her to school has crossed my mind unfortunately. (or to home school?) The list is endless.

And this parenting thing has turned into a competitive sport. How soon can the kid start a new activity and how many activities can they do at once? How quickly can they master jumping into the pool at swim lessons? Learning the color of the crayon? Learning the alphabet?

Are they getting enough activity each day? Eating the right foods? Supplementing properly? Enough sleep? Are they pooping enough? Are we reading enough? Are they the right books? Are they watching too much TV? Is it quality TV? Are we providing her a good role model?

And not just those questions, but how many kids are you successfully raising at one time? Because if you think you've got your hands full with just one, you can't imagine what it's like with three (or less or more). Or you should just try balancing life with my 50 hour a week work schedule. (No, I don't work that many, I'm trying to exaggerate).

IT'S ENOUGH ALREADY!

I need to watch the video daily for a while so I can see the absurdity in it all. It really all shouldn't matter. And yet, didn't it all start at day -360 or so-the day of conception? I worried about conceiving, about what I ate, the health care provider I had, having the perfect birth, and doing it all right from that day forward. Breastfeeding, vaccines, co-sleeping, toy choices, clothing choices, activities, etc... It's one thing to worry about my own choice, but I really shouldn't care how the other mothers are doing things.

I do shake my head when I look at the situation. Some days I remember she's just supposed to be learning how to play and have fun and learn about her world and develop relationships primarily with us, then with family and friends. So my only job is to facilitate that, and keep her healthy. I want her to enjoy her life. I don't care if she excels at school, if she goes to post-secondary school, she can pick any life direction she wants, I just want her to keep the joy that she radiates today. Because, if we've done parenting "well" so far, that is our greatest success-our child reminds me of joy. She is a happy girl. I will try to resist measuring her happiness, because then I'll just be feeding into the competition thing again.

I predict that I'll probably be the parent encouraging her to take the adventures- take the year off and travel, because isn't that what I wish I had done. I'll be the one to encourage her to have kids as soon as she wants, because wasn't having and raising children way more amazing than going to school for close to a decade and then pursuing a "profession". (Don't get me wrong, I chose a great profession, but I think the family beats it out by a long shot). So, yes, I'm the mom saying no to university, but please travel somewhere cool and have a baby while you're at it.

I will try to be a mom without the competitive part thrown in. You will know I have cracked if I withdraw her from all activities, and let her just dig in the garden all day, or torment her puppy, because those may be her favorite activities at the moment. I'll try to gauge how much joy the other activities bring.

5-2-1-0

2010-09-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of 5-2-1-0?

I hadn't until I picked up the most recent copy of Alive magazine. 5-2-1-0 is a recommendation by the Childhood Obesity Foundation (COF). Now I know nothing about the COF, but did you know that 26% of Canadian kids are overweight or obese? That accounts for 1.6 million kids, and in most cases is caused by poor eating habits and lack of regular exercise. (And no, I don't believe a virus has caused this all). That can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, respiratory problems, bone and joint disease, and on the list goes. Not to mention the social and psychological problems such as poor self-esteem and bullying. Obesity is something that may follow a kid into their adult life, and lead to life long concerns.

So what do we do? 5-2-1-0.

Everyday, children should have:

5 servings of fruits and vegetables.
2 hours (or less) of screen time (TV, computer, video games)
1 hour of physical activity
0 sugar sweetened beverages.

It does sound simple. But then, as a parent, do you also follow this and set a good example for your children? I know I can easily spend more than 2 hours in front of the computer, some days I have to include my work to get my hour of activity, and I tend to like my fruit but not always my veggies. I don't "sugar" my drinks, but I do have a sweet tooth. So there will always be room for improvement. This simple recommendation is a nice refresher on a few things I need to include or eliminate.

Happy 5-2-1-0'ing.

Scones

2010-09-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

I always enjoy finding new blogs. This week I happened upon http://www.bakerbabe.blogspot.com/. The blog belongs to Eden Hertzog, the Toronto entrepreneur behind New Moon Kitchen and maker and baker of cookies! She's about to have her first baby, and I bet she'll also take her baby to work one day too! I look forward to seeing what she'll blog about. She did have one yummy recipe posted, and I decided to give it a go. Hopefully she won't mind me re-posting it since I told you where it's from. Here's the recipe for her Spelt Berry Scones:

Preheat over to 375 degrees F

Stir together:

1 1/2 c. spelt flour

1/2 c. wheat germ

3 tbsp. milled flax seed

1/2 c. quick oats

1 tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. sea salt

Add the following & Stir again until it becomes a batter:

1/3 c. coconut oil

1/3 c. maple syrup

1/4 c. almond milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Add 1/2 c. berries & Stir again. (Don't be like me and try to add a cup of berries-too crumbly!)

Drop scone-shapes (any shape, I figure) onto greased baking sheet. Bake approx. 15 minutes. Mine were done at about 12 minutes, so check at the end!

Enjoy these yummy scones! They were husband, toddler, and mom approved in our household.

The Bounty

2010-09-18T13:02:00.000-07:00

I would like to say that my garden produces enough veggies to replace buying produce for a couple of months in the summer. (Or could you imagine enough to feed you for the year!?). Sadly, mine didn't qualify this year. As the end of summer is greeted by a few flakes of the white stuff, I'm quickly bringing in the last of the garden.

Here's an example of the bounty:

Count them! That's 17 tomatoes for the year! (I've never had so few that I could worry about counting them). And only 4 are the real size; and all green of course. I had a total of 5 baby zucchini, and just found some frozen in my deep freeze from last summer. I had lots of greens-kale and beets, and green beens and peas. My carrots and beets are also babies, and mostly still in the ground. And a prolific year for lettuce. And slugs.

Here's one of my pests. Is there a purpose for the slug? They may very well be my least favorite of the bugs. Despite all the advice for crushed egg shells, pepper, and I don't know what else, we just had fun sprinkling them with salt. (Sorry to you slug lovers).

It was not the most abundant year for our garden. My usual technique of compost, seed, weed and ignore wasn't enough of a match for our short and wet summer. I'm scared to consider if I spent more money planting my garden than the produce I got off of it. And I'm considering if we should dig up some more lawn to convert into a garden for next summer. Or wait and see what next summer brings?

Fortunately, I like watching the garden grow over the summer, and having Scarlett see where food comes from. If that is the main benefit to gardening this year, I will have to say it was still a gardening success.

Spinning Babies

2010-09-15T12:46:00.000-07:00

This is the name of the fabulous website, one of my new "old favorites", all about helping baby's position in-utero, and learning about baby mapping. Today is all about breech babies (or transverse, or posterior) and some general tips about what to do if you find yourself with a breech baby. With a chiropractic slant, since that is what I do.

http://www.spinningbabies.com/

I would like to say before I start that this information is not to be construed as medical advice, so please ask your doctor or health care professional if this is appropriate for you, and of course, every one's health situation is different. But I will say a little on the subject because I hear so much about this on a daily or weekly basis. This will not include everything out there, but touch on the areas that I am most familiar with.

In my office I see moms who are pregnant. Most babies naturally tend to move into a head down position (ideally occiput anterior) somewhere around 28-32 weeks (I'm sure this can vary). However, since we offer a technique called the Webster Technique, I also see moms who are carrying breech babies. The Webster technique can help to align the sacrum and balance the soft tissues in the lower abdomen, and may help to provide the room for breech babies to move into a more ideal position. The most current research shows that about 69% of moms who are carrying breech, will have success with the Webster Technique. (Some research of this technique shows around 82% success rate). I believe that most pregnant moms should be under chiropractic care-to help Mom's comfort level, to remove restriction in the lower back/pelvis that may lead to strain on the uterus, to help provide optimum nerve supply and information to baby and to hopefully help mom and baby have an easier, less stressful birth . (please see http://www.icpa4kids.org/ for more information and to find a qualified practitioner). So, please get adjusted if this situation applies to you! (well, please get adjusted, period).

The positions that mom is in during the day are very important. Walking is excellent, and the upright position helps to reinforce the head down position (the heaviest part is the head, therefore - in theory- it should be the lowest...) When sitting, sit on your sit bones (not your sacrum). If you feel tired and want to lie down, instead of leaning back into the couch, lie on your side. No leg crossing when sitting and try to avoid carrying things (or toddlers perhaps) on your hip. I encourage moms to spend lots of time in the "hands and knee" position, again to help the position of baby.

And then again, visit spinning babies! There are inversion positions to try-from handstands in water to climbing down stairs hands first, to using the iron board tilt. The exercises are well described on their website. And then repeat as described.

A mom who is carrying breech does have a number of other health care options to try. We refer to acupuncture or acupressure to assist in helping breech babies turn. I like to share my personal experience with acupuncture. I was under care through my pregnancy and baby was head down by the time the third trimester started. I went for an acupuncture session, and after the treatment, I had a bit of a panic as it felt as though baby pushed herself up and then proceeded to lie transverse for the rest of the day. So I spent the better part of my day on my hands and knees, keeping my belly forward, etc, and eventually baby settled back into head down position again. Probably in a better position than we had started.

Not to scare anyone, but if a well positioned baby felt the need to reposition like that and was influenced by acupuncture to do so, can you imagine the possible effect on a breech baby?

Homeopathics can also be beneficial in helping baby's position. Your best option would be to speak to a homeopath or other health practitioner trained in this specifically, as they may suggest a constitutional remedy. However, one common remedy that you will find by searching online is to use pulsatilla, which may help to address asymmetry in the uterine walls (consult your practitioner for dosage or if its appropriate for you).

What else? Relaxation and visualizing baby moving into the head down position, being very specific in your visualizations. ie. If you are lying in an inversion position, imagine that baby is floating up out of your pelvis towards your head, then as you slowly get up, baby tucks her head and somersaults forward and down into your pelvis. Whatever works for you!

I like to encourage moms to explore their options and do their research. Whichever technique or combination of techniques you use, it is important to be consistent and give them the time to work. Whether baby "flips" or not, you will know that you did everything you could to help your baby find his/her best and safest way to enter the world.

Good luck!

6 for 6

2010-09-13T13:35:00.001-07:00

This was first going to be titled, 3 for 3, then 4 for 4... And then suddenly I realized today that Scarlett was 6 for 6 for days at work that I worked. Three of those were for the full shift (about 2-3 hours) and the other days were for shorter- a half hour to an hour.

Why? For one, we're training an new office receptionist for the afternoon and evening. And second, Scott and I suddenly have clients that are seeing us both one after the other. Which means Scarlett has been coming to work with us, again.

What's been happening?

People missed Scarlett, and have been happy to see our big, little girl. Or finally meet her, for the new patients.

Scarlett has a chance to "shadow" Mommy. Literally. I've turned around too quickly a few times and tripped on my shadow. She's been pretty quiet in the office but occasionally must stay near. Very near.

She's sat on a few laps. Read a few books.

Watched a few movies on the iPad. Ignored a few kids.

She's colored and played.

She's helped pass receipts to clients.

Is that about it? Sat with Daddy lots. Had a few snacks, healthy and not. Clomped around in her big boots, on the laminate floor, before we remembered to take them off.

It has been a pleasure to have her around, but I'm ready to break the run soon. We've been a little too lucky with naps working out perfectly, and tempers being patient. Hopefully 9 for 9 or 10 for 10 will be the end for a while.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Labor Day Project

2010-09-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

Don't you love IKEA?

We decided that our books needed a home, so we returned from IKEA with 2 new bookcases. (And napkins and cups. And after we ate dinner and yogurt ice cream.) We figured that we could move the living room around, assemble the shelves, and put the living room back together over the weekend. It all worked according to plan, and we even managed to keep Scarlett occupied throughout.

She loved playing on the boxes that we had stored in the hallway. The packing paper made for excellent coloring paper. (She looks grumpy here but I think she enjoyed the day.)

Scarlett and Raven and the stuffies played for a long time inside the big box. Raven wasn't quite so impressed, but did nap in the box. (Pardon my toes). See? Scarlett is happier. Clothes make the mood.

When the shelves were finally assembled, it was hard to keep Scarlett off of them, but we convinced her that the shelves were for books only, not little girls.

And I'll spare you the shots of all of our books, but we did get the shelves partly organized over the weekend. Job well done!

Kids don't like change, do they? Even this little change caused some slight anxiety in Scarlett. Maybe it was because the TV was gone for most of the day. Or we took the rug away from the living room. Or all the vacuuming that kept happening. Whatever it was, we're all settled back now and are much more comfortable with our little living room.

Just as an aside, it has been interesting to finally see our books in one place. We seem to have some themes that keep reoccurring. We have our fiction. Margaret Atwood to Chuck Palahniuk. Then the classics-Jane Eyre and Little Women and such. My birth and pregnancy books. Scott's energy work. My garden/crafts/travel. Photography. Business and financial planning. Self help and New Age. And now kids books too.

And as another aside...the change in shelves has uprooted many wine glasses that have been following us around lately that are beyond our storage capacity. Wine glasses, anyone?

The Last Peach

2010-09-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

It finally dawned on me that summer is ending. Or ended, perhaps. And it wasn't because school was starting for everybody else, or holidays were over, or Labor Day had arrived. But I realized it was over when I ate the last peach:

It's not just any peach. This is the last peach of the case of peaches that I had hauled back from Salmon Arm in mid August. Every year, and every trip back to Salmon Arm, we haul fruit and veggies, but my favorite by far are the peaches. Sometimes it is 2-3 cases in a season, but this year it was just one. And some crazy brand like Jimmy Frank or something (forget the Havens).

This peach is not only from the best place that grows peaches (the Okanagan) but it was also purchased from a place of high nostalgia to me-Pedro's Fruit Stand, where I worked for a couple of summers. And not only did I work at the Fruit Stand, but I also worked for the family many years prior-in their orchards picking cherries and thinning apples, and before that, babysitting their boys. Except now when I go back to the fruit stand, the boys that I used to babysit are now running the place. Which makes me feel old of course.

My last peach of the season is gone-as of Sunday, September 5th. Almost labor day. I am always sad when this day comes. I will buy more peaches this season, but they won't compare to the last 30 pounds that we just ate. Can you believe we ate 30 lbs of peaches?!?! Only one peach crisp and the rest we just ate.

I will try to be not just sad, but also grateful for all the lovely peaches that we had this year. Thank you! We have enjoyed you and I look forward to seeing you again next summer.

Monkeys for the Monkey

2010-09-03T14:19:00.001-07:00

Someone in our house is going through a phase, and hopefully that phase is short lived.

Our little princess will accept wearing a shirt decorated with monkeys swinging from trees.

Or the dress with a Moo-cow.

Or the t-shirt with the cat wearing a diamond necklace, or the pajamas with the puppy. The puppy is also glow-in-the dark, which is not a good recipe for sleep.

She likes her socks with the giraffes, her tank top with a Teddy bear and the t-shirt that has a monkey eating a banana. (No, not all together.)

But that's the end of the animal wardrobe. When we run out of animals, I can't guarantee that my daughter will be dressed. As summer turns to fall and the wardrobe changes, I think the animal clothes may need to be packed away. We may have a princess with no clothes on.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Walks

2010-08-31T12:34:00.001-07:00

I used to be an avid walker.

Some of my favorite memories of places I have lived revolve around the areas I used to walk in. My favorite was the Mt Pleasant Cemetary in Toronto. It was so quiet and peaceful with the occasional jogger or visitor. I miss it! Although I do not miss Toronto. And I loved the walks along Lakeshore and the beaches in Kelowna. Complete with an optional swim in the lake if I wanted.

I have walked for exercise, to get places, to get out of the house, to walk the dog, for peace of mind, to see the neighborhoods, and to see the changes in nature.

I walked a lot when I was pregnant, waiting for a baby, and then to get myself and Scarlett out of the house. She walked with me carried in a sling, in a stroller, until suddenly earlier this summer, it all ended. The stroller meets with screams, the sling she wiggles out of, so she must walk. Either very slowly, or full tilt chaos to who knows where. So we sometimes go for walks- to the park, in malls, in dog walk areas, but I'm still pretty leery to walk along sidewalks with my toddler who usually won't hold my hand. Not to mention that Scarlett loves to walk the dog and they usually wind up tangled around each other and me.

This has led to not so many walks lately.

Then I realized that I can go by myself once Scott is home with Scarlett. I went for a walk last night, with the dog, and it felt ridiculously liberating.

And what did I see? The sun. (A marvel these days). New houses for sale in the neighborhood. A church for sale-who knew? Houses with new paint, new fences. Families with kids that I have never seen before. (It is a small neighborhood). The flowers were all different than when I was last out in July. The leaves were changing color. Work on a park near the river.

That's it. Scarlett was upset she didn't get to come and she had wanted to walk the dog. But that probably lasted 30 seconds until I was out of site. And I felt better. A little exercise, fresh air and a fresh mind. I had missed my walks.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Italy Planning

2010-08-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

We're going on a trip this fall-we will be taking our baby to Italy! And we're so excited about it and very busy planning. I said the other day that I took on a full time job-as my own travel agent. We have been using an agent for some things, like our plane tickets and possibly tours and transportation, but I've been looking on my own for accommodation and what to see and do.

Since we're looking for apartments to stay in, two of the favorite sites that we've used so far include:

http://www.vrbo.com/ (Vacation Rental by Owner)

http://www.rome-accom.com/ (Rome Accom)

We liked these two because they can tell you if the dates you want are available, there are photos to look at, and you can search by area of town and price range. (And even include recommendations). Some of the other web sites that rent apartments do not show availability and once I think about emailing the owner (or rental coordinator), and wait for a reply, I forget what apartment I was even looking at. I've found that everyone I have dealt with through email has been quick to reply and very courteous.

We search online for everything but I added one new book because nothing compares to having everything in the palm of your hand. (Plus Scarlet goes nuts when she sees the iPad out, so the book helps us to avoid that). There are dozens of options, but the one I chose was Pauline Frommer's Italy, spend less see more. Now if I just had some more time to read it!

We've picked our Rome neighborhood. We will be staying in Trastevere, which is supposedly not in the most touristy area, but close enough to walk to all of the sites. I've heard that it is as "authentic" as we will get in Rome and also good for kids-lots of markets, restaurants, squares... I'm sold. The shots from google earth are pretty cool.

Speaking of travelling to Italy with kids... At first, we were worried, and were asked numerous times, "Are you sure you want to travel with Scarlett?". Yes, it will involve coordinating car seats, naps, different types of accommodation and a really long flight for a toddler. But the more I read, it sounds like the Italians embrace having children around, so I hope that is true. I'm expecting she can run around some piazzas, and will enjoy eating the pasta, pizza and gelato. What kid wouldn't love that?

There's likely to be a few more posts as we continue planning our trip. And we love advice on what to see and do. Will I be adventurous enough to write while we are traveling?

Domestic Day

2010-08-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

As much as I love being able to take our babe to work with us (occasionally) this week was a little odd and she made four appearances at the office. Not for the full stretch, just a half hour here and there. And that means that for four days, we didn't have the perfect naps, or perfect mealtimes, because you know those are perfect on the other days.

Today was a glorious day off for Scarlett and me, and we have yet to leave the house.

I baked my sourdough bread. (My science experiment is still going strong)

I started on the piles of laundry.

We picked peas from the garden. Did I mention my laissez faire garden this year? Please feel free to correct my french but it is the best way to describe my garden where the slugs and weeds are winning. But I can still boast that it is pesticide free and it is producing some things this year. Just not the zucchini and tomatoes I was looking forward to.

Evidence of my garden

We watered the flower gardens. It has been so wet this year that this is a job that is still a novelty.

Scarlett ran around barefoot and then watered herself too. Fortunately, it was sunny and warm and we have a closet full of clothes.

She's currently napping on a freshly made bed.

I'll hopefully get around to making dinner sometime.

I even took the garbage out and brought the garbage can back to its home.

I feel like I've done enough today that I get a little break for a while.

Death by Kisses

2010-08-25T13:57:00.001-07:00

Our 21 month old daughter is going through a phase of extreme affection. It is quite lovely. Huge bear hugs with her little arms wrapped around our necks. Lasting long enough that I think about moving and she's wrapped so tightly that she hangs on. Hugs to our legs. Horsey-back rides with her clinging to our back. Many times the hugs are preceded by a full tilt run across the room. It is so sweet.

And then there are the kisses. Occasionally she will give a chaste puckered up kiss when I head out the door. That type is rare. Usually it is a full on, open mouth kiss of multiple second duration.

It usually starts with her two little hands on either side of my face. (or Daddy's, but fortunately no one else yet). She holds my head very firmly, and completely face on to her. Then she lunges in while holding everything in place.

One big slobbery kiss, sometimes with teeth mashing into my face, and I'm not sure how, but I can't breathe. A little bit of panic stirs in me. Her little body is suctioned to me and if her hands aren't holding my face in place, her arms are wrapped around my neck. Or she's lying flat on me and maybe 25 pounds sounds light, but I can't breathe.

So I pull her off of me, and we start the process again. Over and over again.

And I wouldn't think the thought would ever cross my mind, but then I start to think of death by kisses. Does a child ever love a parent so much that he/ she could smother or suffocate the parent with kisses? Yes, the parent in this case is strong enough to tell the story, but could it happen?

It wouldn't be the worse way to go; knowing at the end that someone loved you so much that they wanted to show you over and over again, how much. And how did you die? Why, death by kisses, of course.

I am enjoying the affection that is being bestowed on me these days. We usually end up gasping for air between laughing and the wrestling match that the kisses turn into. We will one day try to communicate with Scarlett that perhaps the kisses need to be a little gentler. And closed mouth of course.

Travels with My Tot

2010-08-17T12:25:00.001-07:00

I have sufficiently recovered from my holiday with Scarlett, that I can now talk about it.

My wonderful two weeks away. Lounging in the sun at the pool, swimming in fresh lake water, leisurely walks, afternoon cocktails, catching up with family and friends over long dinners and coffees, a road trip singing along to the music...

And chasing after a toddler as she runs towards the road, or tries to strangle the dog, or insists that she's staying in the play room of the clubhouse, or runs circles around the table during dinner, or needs to climb up the jungle gym for the umpteenth time and must be carried back to the bottom, or jumps into the play pool fully clothed and with shoes on, or wants to watch the "TV" (aka iPad) and Ice Age for the 10th time, or I try to talk to the other important people in my life with one ear and one eye on the tot. And mentally preparing myself for the journey home, a 5-10 hour drive depending on personalities, alone, with Scarlett. Just a small window into the world of single-parenthood.

I think we did pretty well. Our first week of holidays was lovely. Our family of three works well together on a lazy holiday. But then Scott left us and I am happy to report that Scarlett and I survived the second week together. With lots of "da da da da's", gelato and ice cream, the iPad, and silly toys and regular old routines.

Holidays with a tot is just like regular life, except without the work for pay part. We went for lots of trips to the playground or in the sand, or play room, swam when we could, took walks to the lake or around the park, played in the trailer, ate, painted and crafted, and gloriously, still had nice long afternoon naps-most days. It was probably no or more less restful than normal life.

But then the packing and travelling part is not to be done alone with a toddler. I did manage it, but should have recruited help as we were both traumatized by the process-the packing portion at least. Perhaps if we went on a regular holiday without the coolers and food and trikes and toys to pack. And perhaps if the packing didn't require jenga and rope knotting skills as I wrestled everything into our truck. And perhaps if that wasn't the one day that Scarlett decided to skip her real nap.

My daughter was wonderful for our drive back to Calgary. She spent 3 hours with 3 toys in her hand, talked to them, talked to me and then slept a little. (Note: These were new "found" toys, which may have provided enough novelty). I passed food and drink to the backseat occasionally. We stopped once. That alone is amazing, since it is normally a minimum 3 stop drive for all of us. Then we started the iPad, sailed on to Canmore, and just when I had planned to stop again, a second nap happened. It was a good day for me. A 6 1/2 hour drive in holiday traffic is pretty good.

The secret must be: new toys, food, and entertainment. And to keep the schedule low-key for the day after. I did not, and had a little girl who refused to put a diaper on and wouldn't leave the house!

I like to think our holiday was good for Scarlett-running around barefoot, or naked, seeing grandparents, spending time outside, growing, and overall getting a break from the everyday-like car seats and schedules. I think of it as our first extended mother-daughter time alone and hope to look back fondly on our time spent together. (Memories are usually fonder than the actual event, are they not?)

I'm on the fence if I'll repeat the holiday. Life is easier with a Dad, or another adult. Or other kids to distract yours. But there is a certain lure about getting your baby all to yourself for a few days.

Poor Gisele

2010-08-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

I am not one to read the newspapers or follow the famous folk, and I've been really out of the loop since I was out of wi-fi range for two weeks. But suddenly I started hearing confusing remarks about Gisele Bundchen Brady and her comments about home birth and breastfeeding.

Here's the most balanced article I have seen so far, if you want to catch up on the story before I dive in with my own personal comments:

http://www.examiner.com/family-recreation-in-atlanta/moms-are-you-critical-of-holistic-moms

From the little I know, she's a famous model, birthed her son at home with a water birth, and has said that she believes everyone should breastfeed for at least 6 months.

Good.

What is the problem everyone has with this?

I was fortunate enough to have a home birth. I loved it. It was the most amazing, incredible, empowering, and intense experience I have ever had and ever expect to have. I didn't use drugs and didn't need to. I would encourage every woman who wants a home birth and is able to have a safe one, to do that. And if I loved my birth experience, is that a reason to say a negative comment about me? I realize that not everyone can have this experience, but I would still encourage moms to keep it as natural as is possible. And don't hate the people who work really hard to accomplish something like a home birth. (I consider it an accomplishment myself because there is a lot of prep involved and I mean that in many ways). I felt it was safest for me, my baby, and it was how I wanted to welcome her into the world. And whether one argues that it is lucky, or a simple birth to have no complications, I think simply staying out of the hospital in the first place reduces complications overall. (Of course, I realize that some births do require medical interventions, but I would put that in the 10-15% rate, not the majority of cases.)

And should every woman breastfeed for at least 6 months? In most cases, yes, at least try it, and 6 months is probably light. If the entire WORLD did this, it would save billions of dollars and many lives. Not to mention the health and emotional benefits of breastfeeding. There will be women who can't breastfeed for medical or personal reasons, but we should still be able to see an 80-90% breastfeeding compliance rate. (That was proposed by WHO-the World Health Organization).

And then I heard Gisele was criticized for losing weight and getting back to modeling quite soon after. What is the problem there? For moms who are worried about losing weight, try breastfeeding. The pounds will melt away. Hasn't Gisele's life revolved around her health and diet and exercise? Of course, she will lose the weight right away. I'm just a regular person and I lost the baby weight within 8-12 weeks.

I am happy to see a celebrity who is speaking as an advocate for natural birth and breastfeeding. Why do her choices seem more crazy than opting to, voluntarily, have a baby by c-section? Or introducing a foreign food hours after birth? As women, we should be supporting each other in such holistic decisions.

Stop picking on her!

For The Love of Milk

2010-08-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

This past week, Scarlett has discovered a love of milk. The regular cow-type, in a carton. She will go to the open fridge, point at the pink container, say "Moo", we ask her if she wants milk, she says yes, we pour a glass, and she drinks it. It still surprises me every time. There are probably parents out there fighting with their kids to drink the milk, and I'm wondering if its ok if I pour her a glass. Or two or three.

Scarlett still nurses. Her last two medical check-ups the doctor had asked what type of milk she drinks. I had looked at the doctor blankly and finally realized what she was asking, before I said breast milk. We have dairy in the house-cream, cheese, yogurt-but never really got to the point of buying milk. Scarlett won't touch the cheese, but eats the yogurt. (This milk carton I have mentioned earlier was left behind by my brother in the place we are now staying.)

And the controversy of milk. Doctors say to drink it, naturopaths say don't. Some say to pasteurize it, others say to drink it raw. And I don't live on a farm, but would love a source for raw milk if someone has one.

I'm in the belief that milk can "cause" congestion in the body-allergies, runny noses, circles under the eyes, and digestive complaints. Some people I know say their kids got over their constipation once the milk was removed from the diet. Some nutritionists say to try other milks-rice, almond, soy; others say no milk-like substances at all.

What does one believe and do? I also agree with the belief (in theory), that we should drink the milk of our own species. And yes, I sit on the fence because I have a cheese addiction and only drink coffee or tea with cream. But I haven't drank a glass of milk in years.

And there's the blood type theory. I'm apparently in the group that can drink dairy, and I don't even remember Scarlett's blood type.

Does she like the milk because the cows are cute? If that's the case, we are so in trouble if she ever sees the Happy Meal ads.

If she likes the milk and drinks it, can that mean that her body craves it on some level? (And no, I wouldn't compare this to pop or junk food, but should I put this in the same category?). And I put more thought into serving her milk, than pouring her a glass of diluted juice. A bit backwards, perhaps.

I bought a second carton of milk that is now in the fridge. No organic options at the store that is out here and I don't know the locals to look for a real source of milk. I am waiting to see if I notice anything adverse over the next week or two, and will decide how to proceed. Maybe I'll need that number of the farmer.

What's everybody else doing? Who gives the kids milk? Who doesn't? How did you decide?

The Mystery of Palms and Pomegranates

2010-08-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

In them will be Fruits,
And dates and pomegranates.

From The Holy Qur'an, Sura 55 (Rahman), verse no. 68

I was poking around our local used bookstore. I found two photo books circa 1971 of Venice and Rome. Knowing that my heart is set on going to Italy in the fall, I had to bring them home with me so I could start scheming about my trip. I've decided Venice must be on the itinerary, but sadly, Rome may not (likely a distance and time decision). When I flipped to the back of the book on Rome, included with the map of Rome was a small booklet called, "Palms and Pomegranates: Traditional Dress of Saudi Arabia.". Hmmm? What?

I was just reading about the home of Catholicism and the dawn of our civilization, and here's palms and pomegranates.

I'm not sure how this book came to be in my book. But since I like to listen to the universe, I will ponder this for a little bit. Suspiciously, as far as we got into the book was the list of "sponsors" for this book. Names like Chevron, Exxon, Mobil, Xerox, Trans World Airlines, Coca-Cola, Boeing, Shell, Ford, General Dynamics, General Electric... The list goes on with more patrons and sponsors than pages in the book. We're envisioning a mystery with the cover of research for a heritage project of Saudi Arabia.

I am writing this without reading the book, but I will read it soon and continue...

....

Oh, the mystery. Remember my thoughts on boredom? I barely made it to page 17 of 31 and had to quit. I did scan the others to see if there was a great secret or mystery hidden in the pages, but unless there was a secret code, nothing was there. Just descriptions of traditional clothing of Saudi Arabia. Probably of interest to many individuals, but not me at the moment. Yes, the articles of clothing were beautiful, and functional for the environment, but what else? I feel like I have a lost little puppy that followed me home and I don't know what to do with him.

I will wait and see if the universe wants to link this to something else for me. Or does someone have something to share on the subject? I won't assume it is entirely random that this book came home with me, but I will shelf further thought on this for now.

The Pursuit of Boredom

2010-08-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

I am in the middle of a two week holiday. I feel a little self-indulgent and spoiled, but overall happy that I made the decision to take this break. The first week was easy to decide on; the second week I did partly for me and partly for Scarlett. I think we all do better with a change from our daily routines, and it is easier to justify for kids. Remember growing up and having those endless weeks off in the summer? That is one thing I want to give Scarlett, so we'll start with these two weeks.

In the middle of last week, I was thinking that I would really like to reach that place of boredom. Where you have done all of the activities you want to do, as idle or busy as you choose, and then you just can be. For me, after I reach the elusive place of boredom, there is a place of space and that is where all of the beautiful gifts of creativity, vision, lightbulb moments, and wonder occur. A place where growth and change are born. For adults and kids.

But I would also like to reach that place beyond the boredom first, because I'm not sure that I'll reach that place of boredom anytime soon.

I was very lucky last week and had Scott with me so there was one of us to watch Scarlett, and one of us to cook/clean (it is a holiday but it is glorified camping). This week, I get to pretend I am a single parent and do it all. And while I am all for Scarlett reaching the point of boredom as well, her boredom tends to run in the opposite direction of me. Towards traffic. Or down the beach line towards the pit bulls...

So we will be finding the fine balance of some boredom for mommy, and not too much boredom for Scarlett. I have a few art supplies, lots of toys, and many, many things that she can do outside should boredom strike her too early or too often.

I still hope to read enough that I'm done reading for the moment. Write enough that my thoughts are emptied out of my head. Lie around enough that I finally want to move and exercise. Sleep enough that I feel refreshed (unlikely). And still fit in time for friends and family, and swims, sandcastles, random nature exploring, ice cream eating and tea drinking. We'll see how long the naps are out here.

Lost Toys

2010-08-07T13:23:00.000-07:00

I recently found that there is a fluidity between the toys from the office and the toys from home. In my head, they have become the lost toys, although they aren't lost yet. They just seem to follow Scarlett home. One day I will look at the toys in the office and think, "Where did all of the toys go?". Just like the pens that keep disappearing. If Scarlett has the toys, it is likely that Scott has the pens.

While on holidays, 500 plus km's from the office, I found the following:

2 plastic cows.

1 stuffed dog.

1 kids book/ song book.

And that is all. We will bring the lost toys to their home soon. Or trade them for some others.

The Zookeeper's Daughter

2010-08-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

As promised earlier, I have a theme going. I just started reading "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. And I know nothing about it except I've heard it is loaded in symbolism. I have only gotten so far as Patel's description of his life as the child of a zookeeper in India. I also have the good fortune to have a copy from the library with beautiful illustrations, so the reading is sometimes slow.

I may have watched too many cartoons lately. Namely, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Meet the Robinsons. They are both loaded with amazing visuals-one with giant food falling from the sky, and another with futuristic inventions and cities. Where do you think my brain takes me when I hear of this child being raised in a zoo?

You wake up to the sounds of the lions roaring, as Patel mentions. You are snuggled up in the arms of the friendly and cuddly polar bear, who is still snoring away. You unwrap his arms and walk next door to the penguins enclosure and shower by taking a slide into the icy water. To dry off, the peacocks fan you with their tail feathers.

Your morning chores include feeding some of the animals, so you take fruit to the butterflies and grab a few pieces for yourself. You throw some hay to the elephants and then sit down with the gorillas to eat breakfast with them. As you're leaving, two of the gorillas see you out so you play a game of tag with them.

You need to go to school, but on your way out, the animals crowd to the bars of their enclosures to see you out. You leave the cacophony of noise behind you-the shrieks, howls, and chatters.

At school in science class, the teacher is presenting on animals from Africa. You squirm in your seat as she asks for a volunteer to describe the diet of the cheetah. Everyone looks at you.

You eat lunch alone because the other kids think you stink like the animals at the zoo. You do.

After school you have a few minutes to play before your homework. You decide to go and swing with the monkeys. Maybe tomorrow, you can try and ride the camels to the end of the zoo.

Then there's the rest of your chores. Wash the elephants. Feed the dead bunnies to the vultures and tigers.

Did I think this was going to be fun? As the zookeepers daughter, you are of course the slave labor. Sort of like the farmer's daughter, although I did manage to skip most of the work growing up.

But at the zoo- the parrot knows your name, the tiger purrs for you, the hippo lets you pat his back, the zebra lets you sit on his back, the frogs sit in your hand, the tortoise feeds from your hand, and I don't have pages and pages upon which to write as Martel does, so you get the point. It is all so much more vivid in my head then what I write.

And then giant hot dogs fall from the sky and you can scoop up ice cream from the lawn.

It is going to take me some time to read this book, so it may be some time before I find another -----'s daughter.

The Midwife's Daughter

2010-08-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

One of my summer reading projects was "Midwives" by Chris Bohjalian. It was a former Oprah's Book Club books, and when can I pass up a book about midwives and home births? I won't ruin the story, but it's a courtroom drama of a botched home birth with a midwife performing an emergency c-section birth. Oddly fascinating to me. Although frustrating to me at the same time because it sounds like an ER drama made for TV. It was written by a man with too many man-birth terms, such as catching the baby, delivering the baby, etc. It also made the midwife supporters into a bunch of hippies. Maybe I should don my bellbottoms, and move into our van.

The book is told in the voice of the Midwife's daughter, which has me imagining her life. With a little bit of envy from me, because wouldn't that be cool? I just haven't decided if I'd sooner be the Midwife or the daughter.

Your mom sees her moms at your house in her home office. You get to see bellies and babies all day. Your mom can't find a babysitter, so she packs you along to some of her births. Your sex ed talk is just a continuation of her life's conversation. Where do babies come from? Well, let me tell you all about Mrs. Johnson's birth last week. First hand news on tomorrow's town gossip- I know small towns... Baby dolls to play with in the office, great videos to watch, what child wouldn't be thrilled?

Except, of course, the Midwife's daughter ends up becoming an OB-GYN. That made me stop and think. She would give up this great alternative lifestyle to just become part of the system? Become everything her mother didn't like? Turn her back on the community that supports home births and natural lifestyles? (Yes, I link them in my head and yes, I think I may be a bit of a granola in disguise. Or do I disguise that well?)

And do I dare think of what my daughter will become? An MD? An osteopath? An orthopedic surgeon? I do hope that it is nothing health related. She's enough of a ham, I could see her on stage. And sadly enough, she smiles and waves enough these days that I could see her comfortably either as a celebrity, or one of the town princesses, waving from her float. Or rocking out on the drums on stage. I'm hoping not for a doctor, lawyer, or astronaut, but for a career that I've never heard of. But I will nod and see that it is the perfect life for her.

I enjoyed thinking of the life of the Midwife's daughter. To keep to a theme, there is another ---'s daughter coming soon.

Mila's Daydreams

2010-07-28T16:48:00.000-07:00

I found this blog and every time I look at it, I smile. I love her creativity and it is making me think of what I could do during Scarlett's naps. But without moving her, because my babe doesn't sleep like a baby. But then, I'm also sometimes sleeping during her nap, so who will dress me up? Then again, maybe we'll just think of awake time dress-up.

Mila's mom imagines what her baby is dreaming of during her naps, and creates the scene.

Enjoy!

http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pLBjiXsELYc/TFAyaElMdJI/AAAAAAAAAeo/EvBPSDuSA94/s1600/bookworm.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pLBjiXsELYc/TFAzDnKTYzI/AAAAAAAAAfI/r3K9Hrtk0ZM/s1600/candyland+copy.jpg

What do our babies think of when they sleep?

Sourdough Bread

2010-07-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

I have discovered a weakness for this sourdough bread. Love it!

To give credit, where credit is due, I found the recipe at: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/03/12/sourdough-recipes-galore-honey-whole-wheat-sourdough-bread/#more-5391

And here is the recipe:

1 1/2 c. starter

2 c. milk (or water)

1/4 c. honey

2 eggs

3 c. flour for sponge + 3 c. flour for mixing + more as needed

2 tsp. salt

6 TBSP butter (unsalted, room temp.)

Be patient with me and with the recipe:

The night before you want bread:

Mix starter, 3 c. flour and milk. Cover. I found it helpful to start this in my food processor bowl. You can heat up the oven briefly (ie. turn on for one minute, then turn off) or use the oven light to help warm the sponge. This is the sponge.

In the Morning:

Mix sponge with honey and eggs. Add rest of ingredients. Mix with dough hook. Add dough if needed (dough should pull off side of bowl). Cover. Let rise 2-4 hours. (oven light or on/off oven as before).

Afternoon:

Butter 2 9x5 pans. Pour dough in (the dough is springy and elastic-y if its going well). Cover. 1 1/2 - 3 hours with oven light or on/off oven heat.

Time to Cook:

Bread should reach to top of pans or slightly above. Take then out of oven. Preheat oven to 375. Slash top of loaves. Bake 35-40 minutes.

What I like about it is that the bread feels very alive-it is stretchy, elastic, it looks like it could just keep growing and growing, and it is your own mini science experiment in your kitchen. Yes, this starter is the "mother". Little did I know that I would one day be in awe of the "mother" that my real mother used to keep on the counter.

I left my loaves out-no bags, no fridge, and still ate it on day 6. No mold. If you choose to freeze or refrigerate, give it at least 24 hours on the racks or counter to help it mature.

Good luck and have fun!

The Creative Process

2010-07-25T19:44:00.001-07:00

We have been having fun adding more creativity to our days. (Creativity being my theme for July for those of you just joining me.) Many times it is more about the process and the experience than about the end result.

I started off with a stampede theme, and photocopied a cowboy hat for Scarlett to paint. That's the tiny brown hat, beside the big blue hat from Kids Day at Stampede.

Then there was this beautiful jewellery pendant made from sugar, water, and fruit loops. I used Nutri-Os (Scarlett would never eat them), with icing sugar and water. The "pendant" didn't turn out so I scrapped the necklace. You can envision a nice beaded strand of licorice or dental floss-beaded with Nutri-Os, of course. This Jello art looks so pretty.

The goal was to cookie-cutter the jelly into stars and flowers. We ended up with grape jello blobs. We still ate them and Scarlett enjoyed playing with the jello.

My attempts at Art Class with Scarlett make me really appreciate the Toddler Class we go to during the fall to spring period. The kids don their bibs. The teacher brings the art project all ready to go with safe glue or paint. Embellishments are passed around. Wipes appear. Within 10 minutes the art portion is done and we're all cleaned up. Definitely worth the cost of the classes. It takes me 10 minutes to figure out what we should do, not to mention the prep, activity, clean-up, etc. Right now, we are all about the process and we look forward to making pretty art in class in September.

Friday At Our House

2010-07-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

Today is feeling like a lazy summer day. Since I am blogging so little, I thought I would share what we are up to, as mundane as it. On day one of my weekend. Warning: May be boring!

My teenager/toddler woke up at 10:45 today. I didn't have the heart to wake her earlier and somedays I just accept she is a little night owl.

I did nothing productive or motherly while she slept. I did have her fed, clothed, cleaned and out of the house by 11:30.

I figured two errands was safe. We started off at AMA taking back my plates and canceling registration on the neon. That trip was not necessarily worth it-it cost me $8 and I now get a cheque back for $19. Hmmmm. Is there a reason I just did that? Scarlett was good. The man helping me at the registry said, "oh, she's so quiet.". Hit and miss I told him.

Then to the Farmer's Market. I arrive with my bags, Scarlett, her two monster creatures, and money of course, but no list. I start thinking, I have a garden that is suddenly producing-lettuce and greens at least, meat in the freezer, most of the basics, veggies, why am I here? To find all the in season produce, of course! We buy eggs, tomatoes, cherries, blueberries, and by now Scarlett is energized by the crowds, kids, balloons, noise, etc and is running out of control. She's walking with and talking to little girls, kissing the Buddha statues and petting the frog lawn ornaments, and is captivated by the lobsters. There's my real reason for coming. A little bit of food and to wear my daughter out. I decide to tempt fate and share a gelato with Scarlett. On Scott's advice, I lure her into her car seat with it. (Thank You!). The rain boots that she wanted to wear now seem a little wrong with the sun and blue sky.

And we're back in the car. Really, two errands is it. Yes, I gave her sugar and somebody's nuts in the back seat.

We get home. Let the dog in the backyard and Scarlett insists on having her on the leash so she can lead her around. I pull weeds out of the garden. We get lots of Vit D as we are un-sun screened on purpose. Is anybody else confused how how much is safe sun exposure and when it is time to use the sunscreen? We're both pale, so I figure we need the sun.

Go inside. Eat second lunch of the left over bean salad, and blueberries. Scarlett starts playing with blueberries and is pouring them between cups and bowls. Have I mentioned we are just so happy when she eats, that she can get away with this?

I sneak in a diaper change, somehow she's ready for a nap and by 3pm, she's sleeping with no fight. Very nice. And here we are. This is truthfully, much easier than most days.

I must admit when I give up the schedule, some days are so much smoother. We'll see what happens with the rest of the day.

Insurance Gods

2010-07-21T17:06:00.001-07:00

Bye-Bye little neon. The insurance company now owns you, but I think you'll have a nice second (or third) life. You've been a good car for me over our 6 years together.

We've had a week of insurance, but all good things have happened after the storms have cleared. Calgary has been hit by a few hail storms, and in one of them, all of our vehicles were also hit. Whether I am really lucky, really smart, or really unlucky to have it all happen to me, I've started to realize that I'm really happy with my insurance.

Long story short, the neon was a total loss and the insurance company paid me out for it. Which worked well since we were wanting to sell it anyways and I'm happy with what they paid me. Especially since I've apparently been paying for depreciation add back something or other with my insurance. The neon's my second car that I've had to write off with hail damage-the first one was my first car-a Hyundai Pony, which I was also able to drive for a couple more years, then sell again to a neighbor who drove it for a few more years.

The neon was on its second life with me since it had once been stolen and then found, and then completely repaired before coming home to me (2 rental cars and a few courtesy cars later).

The neon came into my life after an unfortunate car accident that I was involved in 7 years ago. Again, my insurance company treated me very well.

How else have I used insurance? Credit card insurance replaced a lap top (Visa really did cover the loss since it was within 30 days of my purchase-I have been asked this one before). And my office liability insurance was again good to deal with after an office break in. (And by the way, there really is a CSI-like guy that arrives and finger prints all the surfaces). We now have guard dogs, alarms and video surveillance, as well. (I may be truthful, I may be lying, I may have some or all, but don't test me) I haven't needed any disability insurance, thank goodness, but a nice little rider on my policy returns a chunk of my premium after a number of years.

Today is my quick thank you to my Insurance Gods. I may be over insured. I may have opted in for too many optionals. I may own too many things spread out over too many places (I don't really-its just the office, house and cars). I hope to never need my critical illness insurance, my disability, my malpractice, my liability...and yes, I'm knocking on wood, but it's nice to know that you are there just in case. Add life insurance to the list of course. I am hoping that by my showing gratitude for all the wonderful ways you have served me, perhaps I won't need to use you as often. I am also thinking that perhaps I should buy more lottery tickets to add to the mix.

What about you? Are we over insured these days? Am I unlucky or is this level of insurance use the norm?

Tourists in our Own Town

2010-07-18T10:32:00.000-07:00

Yeehaw. In the spirit of Stampede, we thought we would go down to the grounds. Here we are lined up to see the Superdogs- since when do you need tickets? The show was fun, but our toddler only lasted for half of it. Why don't they just have a small corral for kids and puppies to play while the show goes on?

Here's the view from our lineup:

I still don't own cowboy boots or a hat after living here for going on nine years.

Scarlett had her most fun at Superdogs and at the Agriculture exhibits-petting sheep and horses. We watched a cow milking demo-the mechanized version had little to offer compared to my memory of watching my dad milk our old cow by hand. Our trip to the kids rides area was short lived and uneventful.

My favorite part was the peace and quiet of the Western Oasis. Paintings, Photography, Decorated Cakes, Quilts, and gentle water fountains of course. We also had some regular old stampede food, but skipped the deep fried oreos, pizza on a stick, and corn dogs. That was our stampede experience. No chucks or rodeo for us this year.

And to complete our touristy week, we also went to the Calgary Zoo. Much preferred. Scarlett is getting to a fun age for the zoo. She tried to pretend she was swinging with the monkeys and may have had a little conversation with a few of them. And it is so much nicer to set her free and let her walk or run beside us, without worrying that she will be trampled.

A shocking aside... we were at a birthday party last night and I met a woman who had a 16 month old and she had yet to take her to the zoo. And not due to finances or animal activists reason, just had not gone. Poor baby girl. I thought every Calgarian with a child made it there at least once a year. I don't find the picture books do it justice and we don't have any safaris planned in the near future, so I like to go to the zoo.

Despite our complaining about Calgary some days, it is pretty nice to have so many world class attractions and events in our own backyard. Speaking of our backyard, it may be calling to me!

Sourdough Starter 2

2010-07-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

For those of you anxiously awaiting the results of my science experiment, here it is.

Day Two, bubbles started to appear in my starter:

Day Three and it's bubbling like crazy:

And here's Day Three at night. The starter has started to separate from the liquid and the liquid looks dark. I poured off the liquid and fed the starter flour and water. What convinced me that this is working, is the smell. All of a sudden, my starter smells tangy, just like real sourdough bread.

Today's Day Four and there is no further change. I'm getting ready to bake in another day or two. I've heard that the sourdough will take longer to bake than regular bread-it sounds like close to 24 hours prep time...

Sourdough Starter

2010-07-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

A sourdough starter is supposed to be easy so let us see what happens in the next few days. This is part of my creative kick, as I've always meant to try a real sourdough starter, not just the mysterious ones that appear in my life occasionally. (And sometimes have way too much sugar). And since I love bread, but would prefer to cut my added yeast varieties, I'm trying this out.

What I just did:

1. Find one large, glass jar.
2. Add 1/2 cup water, 1/2 flour (I used whole wheat. Mix.
3. Cover with a napkin, help on with an elastic (so the sourdough can breath and trap bacteria I understand)
4. Keep warm. (Mine's on the stove, but hopefully we get some warm days soon).

And then I plan to add 1/4 c. water and 1/4 cup flour every 12 hours. When it starts to bubble, you can feed it just once a day and with much less flour and or water. If black gunk grows (it's supposed to), pour it off before you feed it.

There are a bunch of tips I have ignored-you can start with cooking water, you probably shoudn't use tap water as I am... so we'll see how important the tips are.

Here's the starter!

Wish us luck!

Stampede Weekend

2010-07-12T13:56:00.001-07:00

This may be slightly scandalous as I live in Calgary and haven't even been to Stampede yet this year. (gasp?)

But it was a busy weekend and it almost feels like a kids book: (Sorry for the grammar)

One kiddy wading pool waded in.

One Bowness Stampede Parade spectated.

Two pancake breakfasts ate.

One wedding reception ate and danced and laughed at.

Three gardens weeded.

Two hours of patients seen and adjusted.

Two hail storms survived.

And one lassie/smoothy with blueberries, strawberries, yogurt, almonds, honey, and almond milk, consumed-yum.

And that's all. Aside from the naps, meals, chores, play,etc. I now have some crafts prepped for the week, I have a napping girl and I'm ready for the online race for gymnastics registration tonight!

Our iPad can't read the photo cards yet, but my favorite thing this weekend was Scarlett in her beautiful special dress up dress for the wedding reception (white crinkled satiny material with blue embroidery) complete with a colorful Tibetan ceremonial hat with blue and red and yellow pompoms on a black embroidered hat. Dancing until 10:30.

Happy first weekend of Stampede. Yeehaw.

July's Theme

2010-07-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

I just realized we're a week into summer "holidays", and I feel that I can barely catch my breath! What happened?!?

I had spent a day or two thinking how I should spend my July. I came to the decision that July will be my focus on creativity, along the lines of following the Happiness Project, and bringing more fun into my life. So yes, July is about creativity.

That loosely includes building sandcastles, piles of rocks, baking or cooking new items, painting, drawing, scrap booking, gardening, play doh, crafts, writing... so I may be cheating a bit since a lot of that is part of our regular life.

Once I committed to that, I've suddenly been run off of my feet at work all of this week. It's funny how the universe works that way, so I will also be working harder to create health with my clients. Not to confuse anyone, I am working as usual, but I frequently take advantage of the slowness of this month and just include more R&R in my spare time.

And we also got back from our holiday and found out our new iPad had arrived-yay! I'm exercising new parts of my brain to see if I can use this for blogging. So far so good, but I'm still adjusting.

To include the iPad in the creativity theme-amazing slideshow of our pictures. That alone could be a selling feature. And... Scott had Scarlett hooked up with a draw program this morning, so she can scribble on the screen with her finger and doodle on pictures. Not that it will replace the paper versions, but it is going to make traveling this summer so much easier.

I look forward to what things we will create in the next month. I have to take a drive to Michaels or the dollar store next!

Blogpress test

2010-07-06T21:11:00.000-07:00

Just a quick test of Blogpress.

It seems to be working okay.